Little Free Library In Oz

Little Free Library in Ozark, MO.

Hey, guys! Happy Chinese New Year! Today's post is all about Ozark's Little Free Library. Apparently it was unveiled near the end of 2013, but I only heard about it yesterday when I was flipping through the 2014 Ozark Chamber Of Commerce Membership Directory. So, this post may come a little late, but for others like me who hadn't heard I thought I should help spread the word.

So, what exactly is a Little Free Library? Well, it all started with Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin. In 2009 he built a model of a one room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher. He attached it to a pole in his front yard and filled it up with books. People in the community loved it so he built a few more and gave them away. The little libraries sported signs that read, "Free Books". 

The very first Little Free Library

The goal that Todd had in mind was to see 2,510 Little Free Libraries built to promote reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world. This goal was reached in August of 2012. By January of 2014, the total number of registered Little Free Libraries in the world is conservatively estimated to be between 10,000 and 12,000, with thousands more being built. For a more detailed history, or info. on how to register your own Little Free Library please visit littlefreelibrary.org. 

Ozark's Little Free Library is on the north side of the square in front of the courthouse.

The idea is pretty simple. Take a book or two and leave a book or two for someone else. No library card required. I first heard mention of the little libraries when I was living in Kansas City in 2010. I thought the idea was fantastic and even wanted to place one in my own yard. Life got busy, as it tends to do and I forgot all about the Little Free Libraries. In 2012 Mark and I relocated to Oz and once again I heard talk about the little libraries. A friend named Holly Graves, who lives in nearby Springfield, posted on her Facebook page that her husband, E.W. Graves, had built a Little Free Library for their yard. It was met with popularity and E.W. has since built four others in Springfield plus a fifth that was sent to Hutchison, KS. as a gift.  As of today Springfield has five Little Free Libraries. 

E.W. and Holly's Little Free Library in Springfield, MO.

Curious if a Little Free Library might be near you? Search the Little Free Library MAP to find out. 

Inside Ozark's Little Free Library

Have some books you no longer need? Why not seek out a Little Free Library and pass them on? Grab something new to read while your at it! I'm so happy that Oz has its first Little Free Library. I hope it's the first of many.

~ Love & Light ~