Yes and yes. 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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.)
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?
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.
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.
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.
Northern Piper, I’m sorry you have to deal with this. This is why good people can’t have nice things.
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.
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.
