The Peterson Little Free Library is a neighborhood library registered with Little Free Library, a nonprofit organization. Here are some answers to some questions about Little Free Libraries:
What is a Little Free Library? First, Little Free Library is the name of a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering nei
ghborhood book exchanges around the world. The organization helps people around the world start and maintain free “take a book, return a book” book exchanges called Little Free Libraries. Most Little Free Libraries are placed in front yards, parks, gardens and easily accessible locations. The Libraries are built to withstand weather of all kinds and hold 20-100 books. Some Libraries are located in coffee shops, in or near restaurants and community centers. Originally designed to look like a one-room school or a “house of books,” the Libraries rapidly took on a wide variety of sizes, shapes, themes and other attributes. There is no standard size and shape. Although many businesses and apartments may have had “take a book, leave a book” shelves for years, the idea of a network of unique structure with stewards, signage and social support began in 2010. To be officially called a Little Free Library, a free book exchange must be registered with an official charter sign and charter number.
[Currently Peterson Little Free Library is awaiting our charter number.]
How many Little Free Libraries are there? As of 2017, there are over 50,000 registered Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and 70 countries. Please see our map for more information!
[The Peterson Little Free Library will be added to the map as soon as we receive our charter number.]
The Organization:
Little Free Library is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to promote a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world. The Little Free Library movement:
People around the world have embraced the idea of Little Free Libraries and in our Hudson, WI headquarters, we’re working to strengthen and support them with effective communication channels, events, and partnerships that build on our mission. How to Describe Little Free Library:
The correct legal name is three words– Little Free Library. To distinguish between Little Free Libraries and public libraries in generic sense, most writers capitalize the proper name. Only registered Little Free Library book exchanges may use the title Little Free Library; if a book exchange is not registered, it is simply called a book exchange. It is permissible to use the term Little Libraries or just Libraries when referring to any registered “Take a book, Return a book” Libraries. What is Your Stance on Little Free Libraries Being Banned? From time to time we see media articles about towns trying to ban Little Free Libraries. These articles are for the most part much ado about nothing. In the history of Little Free Library there have been more than 50,000 Libraries successfully installed around the world without an issue. Every city that has taken time to scrutinize their zoning laws in regards to a Library has come out in total support of this literacy effort. There have been a few Libraries that have been relocated to better locations, but they were not shut down.
