# When Your Little Free Library Becomes a Locus for NeoNazi propaganda ... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 6, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679 "2018-05-06T01:09:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/21 "2018-05-07T15:39:37Z")
A star of David is more likely an inducement right now. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/22 "2018-05-07T16:41:15Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > What do you mean by “a big LFL provider”? Is it a place that sells the kits to build them, or distributes books for them, or what? [Yes and yes.](http://www.kidsbookbank.org/about-little-free-libraries.html) I was at a warehouse full of used, donated books. My task for the morning was to sort them. The group distributes the books to many sources but also has 75 Little Free Libraries in the area. They also work with people to help libraries get installed. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/23 "2018-05-07T16:53:35Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Mrs Piper loves the little free library movement and last year she put one up in our front garden, right off the public sidewalk. > > It’s been fun. We put books in that we no longer want, and they generally disappear quickly. Other folks put books in that they don’t want and they too disappear. > > Recycling of books. Good thing, right? A good book should be in the hands of someone who wants to read it, instead of just gathering dust on a shelf. > > [Little Free Library - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Free_Library) > > Until the past couple of days. > > Yesterday, she went out to check on it, and came back in with a book someone had put in: “The German Eugenics Movement”'or some such title. A quick skim indicated it was not critical of said movement. Into the trash it went. > > Today, Mrs P came with another book someone had put in: “My Awakening” by David Duke. Brand new, glossy paper cover, hard-bound. _Autographed by the Ersatz-Führer himself._ A bit of googling indicated autographed copies go for $50 or more on EBay. > > Into the trash it went, and it’s already had some nice drippy kitchen garbage added on top, so its value is now probably nil. > > Two Neo-Nazi books in two days? Not liking the pattern. Do we have a dedicated neo-Nazi propagandist hijacking the Little Free Library movement? > > Or, more disturbingly, do we have a Neo-Nazi in the neighbourhood, who’s just cleaning out his bookshelves and thought “Hey, someone else might want to read these?” > > Ick and :eek: I’m shocked and appalled by this. Why are you putting a book in the garbage? Don’t you have paper recycling up there? ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/24 "2018-05-07T16:58:11Z")
I don’t see the problem. I’ve got a little library too. The point you’re missing is that someone wanted to get RID of those books and that that person could not think of anyone who’d like them, to give them away. You put the books in the trash, so problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/25 "2018-05-08T02:31:58Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > [Yes and yes.](http://www.kidsbookbank.org/about-little-free-libraries.html) I was at a warehouse full of used, donated books. My task for the morning was to sort them. The group distributes the books to many sources but also has 75 Little Free Libraries in the area. They also work with people to help libraries get installed. What a wonderful organization! ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/26 "2018-05-08T03:26:06Z")
I’d love to find out where they do that in my area. I’d volunteer a little time as long as I could take in my “wanted” list. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/27 "2018-05-08T09:57:38Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I’d love to find out where they do that in my area. I’d volunteer a little time as long as I could take in my “wanted” list. **Edub** , it’s a simple as making one and putting it up near your house or near a place you daily pass. [Here’s how to start one.](https://littlefreelibrary.org/start/) Use an old cupboard found at goodwill, or buy a ready made one. I did, with these people in the Netherlands. I got it for 200 dollars, incl painting an shipping. it was my own birthday gift to myself. I added a led light to it on a timer, and painted the purpose on the side. It’s a very rewarding hobby. [Here’s a picture of my LFL](https://louisbrouwer.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/mini-bieb-weblog-20-maastricht-1.jpg), taken by a guy who had as a hobby visiting LFL’s in his neighbourhood. Everytime I come home from work, I take a minute or two to tidy the bookcase, take out what I like, and thrash books that are brought in that obviously no-one will take. Many people bring unusable books; I take two large bags of old books to recycling every month. But hey, I get books enough and if it helps people declutter, that’s a public service. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/28 "2018-05-08T15:22:39Z")
I meant the warehouse/sorting aspect of it. But Mrs. Dub and I inquired about putting one on our front lawn and was told that it was against city rules. (There is one in the city, at the park.) ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/29 "2018-05-08T15:32:42Z")
Against city rules… and you let that stop you ? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/30 "2018-05-09T01:16:02Z")
The Mrs. is a stickler. Me, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/31 "2018-05-09T02:09:24Z")
If it keeps up, surveillance and a trespass notice. That’s why God created articling students. What’s the penalty for trespass after 9 p.m. these days – up to half a year? ---
**Author:** ![moes\_lotion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@moes\_lotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moes_lotion)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/32 "2018-05-09T04:57:20Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > **Edub** , it’s a simple as making one and putting it up near your house or near a place you daily pass. [Here’s how to start one.](https://littlefreelibrary.org/start/) > > Use an old cupboard found at goodwill, or buy a ready made one. I did, with these people in the Netherlands. I got it for 200 dollars, incl painting an shipping. it was my own birthday gift to myself. I added a led light to it on a timer, and painted the purpose on the side. It’s a very rewarding hobby. [Here’s a picture of my LFL](https://louisbrouwer.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/mini-bieb-weblog-20-maastricht-1.jpg), taken by a guy who had as a hobby visiting LFL’s in his neighbourhood. > > Everytime I come home from work, I take a minute or two to tidy the bookcase, take out what I like, and thrash books that are brought in that obviously no-one will take. > > Many people bring unusable books; I take two large bags of old books to recycling every month. But hey, I get books enough and if it helps people declutter, that’s a public service. For a second when I saw the top left picture I thought there was a bottle opener mounted on the wall beside the library and thought what a civilized touch that was. As for the OP, there are 5 of these little free libraries within a 15 minute walk of my house, so I’ve not contemplated building my own, but if I did I think I’d have a small sign somewhere stating that management reserves the right to reject donations. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/33 "2018-05-09T06:48:56Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > If it keeps up, surveillance and a trespass notice. That’s why God created articling students. What’s the penalty for trespass after 9 p.m. these days – up to half a year? > [@moes\_lotion](#): > > As for the OP, there are 5 of these little free libraries within a 15 minute walk of my house, so I’ve not contemplated building my own, but if I did I think I’d have a small sign somewhere stating that management reserves the right to reject donations. These are pretty distasteful suggestions and likely counterproductive. I think just monitoring the books and throwing out the evil ones is probably a better initial strategy. Eta: the most I’ve ever seen as guidance on what goes into the box is when it’s young people/children specific little library. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/34 "2018-05-09T12:32:31Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > I don’t see the problem. I’ve got a little library too. The point you’re missing is that someone wanted to get RID of those books and that that person could not think of anyone who’d like them, to give them away. You put the books in the trash, so problem solved. No, the point of a little free library is to pass along books so that others will read them. If the person wanted to just throw them out, they could have. Instead, they put them in the Library so others would read them. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/35 "2018-05-09T14:03:05Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > What a wonderful organization! - 1 ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/36 "2018-05-09T14:20:28Z")
**Northern Piper** , I’m sorry you have to deal with this. This is why good people can’t have nice things. > [@E-DUB](#): > > But Mrs. Dub and I inquired about putting one on our front lawn and was told that it was against city rules. (There is one in the city, at the park.) Who objected and on what grounds? I never would have even thought to ask anyone about it. If there weren’t already five or six in my neighborhood, I’d put one up myself. > [@Maastricht](#): > > I don’t see the problem. I’ve got a little library too. The point you’re missing is that someone wanted to get RID of those books and that that person could not think of anyone who’d like them, to give them away. You put the books in the trash, so problem solved. > [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > No, the point of a little free library is to pass along books so that others will read them. If the person wanted to just throw them out, they could have. Instead, they put them in the Library so others would read them. I thought **Maastricht** was just giving a tongue-in-cheek suggestion about the most pragmatic way of dealing with the issue while not bothering to get worked up about the donor’s motives. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679/37 "2018-05-09T16:02:38Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Someone wanted to put a Little Free Library in front of our city Rec center last year, and was pissed when then mayor said no. His reasoning was that as soon as questionable content went in there, the city would be in a lot of trouble. I’m disheartened to know that his instincts were right about people ☹ > > I think they’re an awesome idea tho. In fact this morning I volunteered for a few hours at a big LFL provider in Cleveland. > > I’m glad you guys are diligent about policing yours! Why isn’t there already a Big Taxpayer-funded Library in front of the city rec center? Should have asked the mayor _that_ one… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-your-little-free-library-becomes-a-locus-for-neonazi-propaganda/813679.md?page=1)