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Little Free Libraries in the Snow
While visiting my Mom not long after a recent snow storm I came across something I hadn’t noticed before in my old east-end Montréal neighbourhood: Little Free Libraries.
Luckily I had my camera with me and decided to take advantage of the lovely winter conditions to take a few shots of the two that I found within walking distance of my mom’s place.
For anyone who’s not familiar with these, this free book sharing service that started in Wisconsin in 2009 has grown to the point where you’ll find thousands of them all over the globe.
Basically someone builds one of these little boxes that looks like a house with a see-though door and installs it on a post in a visible public location. They fill it with books they don’t need anymore or think others would enjoy reading. Others come and borrow the books to read and sometimes exchange them with ones they’d like to share with others as well.
The other key part of the concept is that they are meant to be used in poorer areas or for folks where access to public libraries is limited. Ironically many of the ones I’ve come across up till now are in middle to higher income neighbourhoods, where they are needed the least.
Regardless of where they end up being installed, as a person who values the written word it always leaves me with a warm fuzzy feeling whenever I see one of these. But even more so now that I know there are a few in a place where they’ll hopefully do some good.
This second one was a few streets over and a few blocks further south.
We’ve had a bitterly cold winter up to now but it was a reasonably mild day for once so I walked around a bit and got a few other shots of the ole hood blanketed in fresh snow.
You can see the Olympic Stadium’s inclined tower off in the distance in this shot.
For those who don’t get much winter weather I thought it might be fun to look at some snow covered streets in quieter areas outside of the downtown core.
Here’s a weathered delivery entrance to a currently empty retail space. It used to be our local mom’n pop hardware store. I decided to throw this one in at the last minute as a bonus door 🙂
As always, thanks so much for visiting 🙂
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Norm, I enjoyed seeing the colorful decorations on the free library boxes.
📔 📚 📕
I worry about children in so many ways, but especially during winter months. Stuck inside, more fighting on all levels, between kids and between parents. Also, I worry about unsafe sources of heat.
The free library boxes are so nice to see! I hope someone will close the last library box which may cause dampness in the box and books.
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those little libraries are fun… and they pop in the snow
also- the bonus door was interesting – those mom and pop shops of yesteryear are so opposite of the amazon deliveries we get these days
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These little libraries are such a good idea. We have them here in Australia too.
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Anything that gives books a new life and encourages others to read is fine by me 😉
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I love those little libraries. I’ve not seen one in the wild here, though. I think I can check a website and see where one might be. But as of yet, I’ve not stumbled upon one in my travels.
You all drive on snow covered roads? Hearty stock, you Canadians. That would shut Philadelphia down. Wimps.
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Thanks Tara. I know a lot of folks put up their own versions and don’t bother registering them. It seems there’s a cost involved in having it registered and listed by the official LFL organization.
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I have heard of these. Clever and resourceful idea. They are typically charming, just like the one you feature.
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They are indeed – thanks Jennie 🙂
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You’re welcome, Norm. 🙂
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That’s such a cool idea. I never heard of those. I have been giving away some books that I have read to the Kidney Foundation. We had an inch of snow here this week. It’s melting now.
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Passing our old books on for others to enjoy works for me regardless of the format, so good on you 😀
We had another foot of snow two days after I took these shots. Probably another 2 months of this before we turn the corner to warmer temps.
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Great idea for doors, Norm! I’m in the process of having my hubby build me one, so badly needed in our neighborhood (I’m a block from a school). I can’t even find one to donate book to!
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That’s a wonderful gesture Terri. I’m sure it will get lots of use 🙂
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How cute to see them in the snow! And still full of books. I hope someone still comes by to pick one or two out. I did a Thursday Doors post about a LFL too a while back: https://klallendoerfer.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/thursday-doors-on-friday-little-free-library/
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Thanks Karen. Yes I remembered your post. They do look different in the snow don’t they?
You’ll be happy to know that someone had just taken a book from the first one as I arrived to photograph it 🙂
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This is just the sweetest Little Free Library. The ones that I see are more utilitarian, less decorated. I wonder if I stuck a few stickers on them if anyone would mind? 😉
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Thanks Ally. You could certainly try. I guess the worst that would happen is someone would peel them off if it offended.
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I love those Little Free Libraries too. I’ve spotted two in my walking route and regularly exchange books there. Right now I’ve been purging my children’s books using the two Little Free Libraries. It gives me joy to see the books I’ve placed in them no longer there the following week. The gift of reading rolls on. 🙂
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Yes indeed Deborah. It must be nice to know your old books have found someone who was curious enough to bring them home 🙂
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No snow here so I enjoyed your winter shots. I love the box for books to borrow!!
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Thank you Brenda 🙂
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It is a wonderful idea! We have similar bookshelves in Germany.
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It is indeed. Perhaps a subject for a future post of yours as well 😉
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What a wonderful custom! I’ve never seen or heard of this type of service until your post. I love it. Kudos to you for braving the cold to take photos of these gems.
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“Braving the cold”? It was only -5 Celsius – almost balmy for early January around here 😉
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Wow. It must get really cold there for -5 Celsius to feel “balmy” for January. LOL. I’m sure my family on the East Coast felt the same after the frigid January in CT. I’m spoiled now living in California. 🙂
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I love those wee libraries, Norm, great idea. We’ve had some freezing weather here the past few days and lots of snow but nothing like you have there. Stay warm.
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That’s nothing Jean. We got another 30 cm’s a few days later and then the temps dropped back down to -27. What we call go-to-bed-early-and-snuggle weather 😀
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The ones you captured are cute! Haven’t seen the free libraries in the Netherlands yet (because one needs a permit to put anything on the road -unless one does it in one’s front yard.)
Good you brought it up that they’re more in the well-to-do neighborhoods. Can imagine for several reasons, to buy a book even second hand one needs a little money. Also, timewise, the poor need 2-3 jobs to make ends meet. Maybe also caused by a not a high level of interest in imaginary subjects? .
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Thanks. For me it always makes me smile to see one regardless of what neighborhood it’s in 🙂
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That is what surprised me about the rural towns – one would think there are only the basic grocery, antique stores, bar and a gas station, but people find some ingenious ways to meet:)
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I love the free libraries – and the public ones too! We have a few of this lovely boxes in our area. I have yet to take advantage of them, but that’s mostly because I pass them while out on my walk.
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I haven’t seen any here in our area north of the city yet but they are popping up everywhere else it seems 🙂
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I have seen these “free library” in a number of places but those you have captured are quite lovely. (Suzanne)
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Thank you Suzanne!
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I love these little free libraries. One was put into the neighborhood where I last lived in Florida. Its installation was in a public park though, so hopefully many people found it useful. The ones you’ve captured look vibrant in all that snow!
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Thanks Amy. I thought the fresh snow would make the shots a little more interesting 🙂
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It definitely did! Today, I came across the first one that I’ve seen here. Of course I had to snap some photos of it! 🙂
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We have a bunch of these in my town too. Some are even sponsored by the real Library. I’ve thought of documenting them, but have photographed them all yet.
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Sponsored by the local library eh? I love that idea.
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I love little free libraries. I’m mostly from Wisconsin and it does my heart good to see them all over the world. It was good to get back to Thursday Doors. I haven’t been on a doorscursion in ages and I have a lot of catching up to do in checking out all the wonderful photographs. Thanks for hosting this challenge.
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Thanks so much for joining in this week 🙂
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Love the book box doors. I’ve heard about those great idea.
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Thank you Sherry 🙂
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Reasonably mild still looks pretty cold!
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Don’t be silly Jan it was downright balmy 😀
You should come for a visit in February we’ll take you cross-country skiing or maybe curling 😉
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I love this idea and your photos are brilliant! ❤
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Thanks for the kinds words 🙂
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💜🌹
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Brrrrr!
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Scared of a little snow are you? That’s what happens when you vacation in Mexico instead of Canada in January 😉
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You know I love these book share boxes Norm. Unfortunately I feel they would be less successful overall in many ‘needier’ neighborhoods. The ones we had in Florida were at least in public free arboretum and historical parks that anyone could access. Most of the books were current popular issues so that was nice too. Great doors!
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Thanks. You may be right but they always make me smile regardless of the neighborhood I find them in 🙂
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The Little Free Library concept is really a good idea. I love your pictures. There is something magic about winter.
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Thanks Tina. Yes winter can be magical. Sometimes a bit too long for my taste but still magical 😉
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We have free little libraries in my town, but none as cute as these.
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Thanks. I have seen lots of nicely decorated ones. Some people are so creative 🙂
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So glad you shot the little free library doors and shared them. It’s a great service to communities, but also looks terrific in the snow!
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I thought it would make for some nice shots in the snow too. And having two of them within a few blocks of each other was enough to give me the idea to turn it into a post 🙂
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Thanks for spreading the word – uh pictures – about these little gems
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Thank you. It was a delightful find 🙂
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The free library is such a great idea. But I always wondered what if someone didn’t shut the door behind them. That seems to have happened in the last photo. Pretty messy if snow gets in, I guess.
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Yes, it looks like the last person didn’t take the time to straighten out the books and close the door properly. In this case it was too cold for the snow to melt and damage the books and I did straighten up and close the door before I left 🙂
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I love the Little Free Library concept. How cool that you featured it this week. Great pics!
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Thanks Carrie. Well, when I saw two of them withing a short walk of my Mom’s place I knew I had a post 😀
And thanks so much for the retweet. It seems to have brought in quite a few additional views for me this week.
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My pleasure. Happy Friday to you!
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The first time I came across one of these little libraries was in New York City. I love the concept!
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Thanks Lynn. Yes I just love this idea 🙂
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I wish I could find one of these in NJ. I recycle my old/used/new books at the local library sales or donate them to the Vietnam Veterans. This would give me another option. Thanks for offering this fun challenge of Thursday Doors. It’s my first time participating.
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I think it’s terrific that you’re helping your old books find some new readers.
Thanks for joining in this week and welcome 😀
FYI I commented on your post but I think it is waiting for your approval to be published.
Cheers 🙂
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This is our first winter north in 5 years! And we were in Montreal for the first week of January when it was bitterly cold!!
I must look through my pics for some of these libraries!
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It has been a nasty cold winter so far. Hopefully mother nature gives us a break for the second half 😉
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I too love these little libraries. I haven’t seen a lot of them in Toronto, but maybe it’s a question of where I live. Some people really put a lot of thought and effort into decorating them.
It looks cold and snowy in your world …. just like here
Stay warm!
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Lots of imagination and creativity put into some of these that’s for sure.
We’re warming up for the weekend; just above freezing with a bit of rain – wheeeee!
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Nicely done! I am also a fan of the free lil libraries 🙂
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Thank you Joey. It sure is a wonderful idea 🙂
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Free Libraries are great- we have a few in town, and there is one on the boardwalk at the beach we frequent, came in handy last year when my husband forgot his book! We returned the favor next time by adding a few of our own
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It’s certainly a fun way to share books with others 🙂
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Yes Norm, we have these in our neighborhood too. They are like a “revolving door” in the old folks areas! We have so many books to share (get rid of), so the little libraries are never empty or with the same books for long! Good way to read stuff you’d never thought you’d be interested in!
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Indeed, it is a good way to expose yourself to different authors and stuff you’ve never heard of before 🙂
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One of these days I want to have one of these at my house. However, would have to save some money to have someone make one. The plans are horribly expensive, too. Then it costs money to have then listed in the directory. My biggest issue would be getting the owner’s permission. I own the house but rent the lot. One day though, I will do it.
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Thanks Corina. I know lots of folks don’t bother going through all the fuss of buying “official” plans or paying to have them listed. Either way if it’s what you want, I’m sure you’ll manage to get one up in front of your place eventually 🙂
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Yeah, if I had someone that could build one of repurpose something, I would definitely do it.
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The little free libraries are a great concept. Thanks for sharing these, Norm. I like the idea and I like the craftsmanship that people put into making them attractive and seemingly weatherproof. Thanks for the street views, too. It’s good to know we’re not alone.
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Thanks Dan. Yes, some people can get very playful and creative with how they gussy up their free libraries. It is fun to see that 🙂
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Well, Norm, you gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling with these special little doors. I have always loved the idea of these little libraries, and the variations of how they decorate them makes me smile. 🙂 Snow removal on interstates versus side streets is always quite different. Happy Thursday.
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Thanks Judy. Sadly the snow removal in the city seems to be getting worse each winter 😦
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Excellent post and gorgeous pics.
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Thank you 🙂
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A great doors post, love the concept of books being made available like this. I know that there are a few libraries like this in the UK, but not many.
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Thanks. They’re catching on so don’t be surprised if you see more of them popping up.
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I have a little free library on my street, just a block away! I’ve always wanted to bring a book to exchange, but I’m so attached to my books, I can’t decide which one I want to part with…
Still, it makes me happy to see these free libraries around the place. Makes me equally happy to see all the snow in your photos 😀
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Thanks. I know what you mean about being attached to your books. I have lots I’d never want to part with but I’m sure I could still find a few good ones in my collection that I wouldn’t mind sharing.
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I have previously bought a second copy of a book so that I could “share” it without sharing my copy 😉
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Great. I always get the warm feeling when I see one of these too (even though in Italy I have yet to discover one). Imagine children growing up and never getting this warmth.
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Thanks Manja. I know I would have used these a lot when I was little. There were no public libraries nearby and I’m pretty sure our school librarian hated kids 😀
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