This year was a page-turner! As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the major happenings of the last 12 months. We appreciate your continued support on our journey to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all. Here are a few of our favorite stories from 2025:
10. TNT The Librarians
To mark the premiere of TNT’s sequel series The Librarians: The Next Chapter, we joined forces with TNT and LFL stewards to bring magic and adventure to readers across the country. 200 Little Free Library book-sharing boxes were stocked with exclusive treasures inspired by The Librarians universe. As part of the celebration, TNT also donated 10 custom-designed Little Free Libraries inspired by The Librarians to deserving organizations in the United States.
9. New Booksellers Directory
We teamed up with independent bookstores across the United States to develop a new Booksellers Directory. The directory connects our dedicated network of stewards with LFL-Friendly Booksellers, encouraging stewards to shop local, deepen relationships within their communities, and create sustainable, long-term book access ecosystems. Stewards can access the Booksellers Directory via the the web portal or mobile app.
8. The Thursday Murder Club
We partnered with Penguin Books to celebrate the premiere of The Thursday Murder Club movie on Netflix by giving away 200 copies of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel in Little Free Library book-sharing boxes across the United States. Patrons hunted for the book in their local little libraries using a custom The Thursday Murder Club tag in the mobile app. View some fantastic steward photos and read our interviews with Chris Columbus (director) and Richard Osman (author) here.
7. The Crossover Little Free Library
Kwame Alexander is now a Little Free Library steward! The New York Times bestselling author returned to his hometown of Chesapeake, VA, to unveil a Little Free Library book-sharing box in celebration of the tenth anniversary of his groundbreaking novel, The Crossover. We were thrilled to partner with Kwame on this special Little Free Library, which is the first of ten Crossover libraries that Kwame will sponsor.
6. Penguin Books UK Little Book Stops
We were delighted to partner with our friends at Penguin Books UK as they celebrated their 90th anniversary this year! To mark the occasion, Penguin Books UK installed 90 Little Book Stops as registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in communities across the UK. The initiative was designed to celebrate individuals in the UK who champion reading, support more people to easily access books, and help book lovers to find their next read. Individuals and organizations applied to nominate their local area for a Little Book Stop.
5. Daniel Gumnit Hired as New Chief Executive Officer
This June, we welcomed Daniel Gumnit as the new Chief Executive Officer of Little Free Library. Daniel has extensive nonprofit leadership experience, having served in executive roles at People Serving People, Twin Cities PBS National Productions, Minnesota Alliance With Youth, and more. Daniel has spent his first months at Little Free Library meeting and learning from staff, board members, stewards, donors, and partners in preparation to develop a thoughtful, collaborative strategic plan for the organization’s future. We’re excited to have him leading Little Free Library into our next chapter!
4. 5 Years of Read in Color
This year we recognized the fifth anniversary of Read in Color®(RIC), a groundbreaking initiative that first launched in Minneapolis in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. In partnership with individuals and community organizations committed to promoting diverse books and amplifying marginalized voices, RIC has distributed more than 60,000 books and 350 Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in 30 cities nationwide since it’s debut. The initiative shares books that reflect Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latine, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented voices, with the goal of fostering empathy, understanding, and inclusion.
3. Narnia Little Free Libraries
We were honored to team up with HarperCollins to celebrate 75 years of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! To recognize the 75th anniversary the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series—one of the most beloved epic fantasy classics of all time—25 custom Narnia-themed Little Free Libraries stocked full of C. S. Lewis books were granted to individuals and organizations across the United States though our Impact Library Program. View more photos of these special libraries installed in communities here.
2. Baltimore County Public Schools Research
We’ve always had a hunch Little Free Libraries have a big impact on communities, but with help from our friends at The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) and Pier Partners, we confirmed that because of Little Free Libraries children read more! In 2024, researchers surveyed 768 children in Baltimore County, MD, and in 2025, they provided key findings demonstrating that increased book availability led to more frequent reading, particularly among students at low-income schools, BIPOC students, and English Language Learners. Read more about the impact of Little Free Libraries here.
1. 200,000th Little Free Library
This year we celebrated our biggest milestone yet—200,000 Little Free Libraries! We were proud to donate Little Free Library #200,000 to Benjamin E. Mays IB World School, an elementary school in St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood. This library marked the first of 200 Little Free Libraries that were granted to Title I schools across the country, in an effort to expand children’s access to books. We want to share our deep appreciation for all our new and long-time stewards who continue to grow LFL’s book-sharing movement by building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all. Read more about our year-long celebration here.
Thank you again to our stewards, partners, and supporters for making these moments possible! Help us continue to bring Little Free Libraries full of books where they’re needed most. Donate today or learn how to start your own Little Free Library!