Here at Little Free Library, we’re big fans of independent bookstores! Connecting Little Free Library stewards to their local bookstores is one of our goals for creating sustainable, long-term book access ecosystems.
That’s why we’ve developed a directory of LFL-Friendly Booksellers to help connect Little Free Library stewards to their local bookstores, encouraging them to shop local and to deepen relationships within their communities.
This directory is accessible by logging into your steward account in the web portal or mobile app. You can search the map to see if there are any participating bookstores near you! Bookstores offer a variety of resources, from hosting steward events at your bookstore to donating surplus books to stewards and offering steward-only discounts. Interested in adding your bookstore to the directory? Fill out this form.
In celebration of this new resource, we wanted to highlight three of our favorite local bookstores in the Twin Cities (where Little Free Library is headquartered) that are participants in the directory!
Magers & Quinn
Magers & Quinn has been in operation since 1994 in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. As one of the largest independent bookstores in the Midwest, Magers & Quinn sells a vast selection of new and used books, including unusual and hard-to-find editions. Their online store features all in-store items, in addition to over a million other titles available for online purchase.
Visit their website to shop online for books and merchandise, and learn about in-store events and book clubs!
Tropes & Trifles
Tropes & Trifles is a romance bookstore that openedin July 2023 in South Minneapolis. Founded by Lauren Richards and Caitlin O’Neil, Tropes & Trifles aims to be a space that fosters the growing community of romance readers and writers in the Twin Cities and beyond. In store and online, you can find titles from a variety of genres, such as Romantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Horror, and Young Adult. Tropes & Trifles also sells a small selection of local goods and merchandise and commonly hosts events like book signings and author events. Go visit them today to find your end-of-summer beach read!
Babycake’s Book Stack
Babycake’s Book Stack, named after the founder’s daughter’s nickname, is a mobile bookstore that travels around the Twin Cities to neighborhoods, schools and community events where children and families need to see themselves on the shelves. Founded in 2016, Babycake’s sells 99.99% children’s books and carries a highly curated inventory of books designed to include the culture and/or languages of the indigenous, immigrants, refugees, African American, and many other backgrounds.
Shop online, or check the events page to find out where they’ll be next!
Stewards can access the directory by logging into their steward account in the web portal or mobile app. Learn more about starting a Little Free Library!