Planning

The first step in building a little free library is to plan out the design and location. We started by researching different designs online for about seven years. I'm a terrible carpenter, and that spectre hangs over every complex design. We ended up trying to make it look as much like our house as possible. We also decided on the location of the library, which was in our front yard.

Gathering materials

Once we had a plan in place, we went to the hardware store to purchase the necessary materials. This included wood for the structure, plexiglass for the door, and hardware such as hinges and screws. No fancy lumberyard wood on this princess.

Building the library

With the materials gathered, we started building the library. We cut the wood to the appropriate sizes, assembled the structure, and attached the plexiglass door. Then I rebuilt the door from scratch because the first one wasn't straight. We also painted the library to match our house.

Adding finishing touches

To make the library more appealing and functional, we added a few finishing touches. We installed a little roof to protect the books from rain and added a sign to indicate that it was a free library. We also added some flowers that I then ran over with the lawnmower a couple weeks later.

We launched our Little Free Library with a grand opening event that was in the form of a Facebook post on the neighborhood page. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many people commenting on how much they loved the idea and how cute our library looked.

Stocking the library

Once the library was complete, we stocked it with books. We gathered books from our personal collection and asked friends and family to donate books as well. We also added a few children's books and some magazines to appeal to a wider audience.

Maintaining the library

To keep the library in good condition, we regularly check it for damage or wear and tear. We also periodically restock the library with new books and remove any that have not been borrowed in a while.

In conclusion, building a little free library is a fun and easy project that you can do with your partner. It provides a great opportunity to give back to your community and promote literacy. So why not give it a try and see how it can enhance your neighborhood!