Little Free Library (LFL) is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Libraries.
More than 300 million books have been shared through registered Little Free Libraries, profoundly increasing book access for readers of all ages and backgrounds.
LFL has attracted high-profile collaborators including Amerigroup, Disney, Foresters Financial, Good Morning America, Goodreads, Marvel, Scotiabank, and Sony.
LFL has been awarded the World Literacy Award and Guidestar’s respected Platinum Seal of Transparency, as well as recognition from the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation, the Women’s National Book Association, and more.
Annual Reports
2022 Gratitude ReportNewsletters & Publications
- Strategic Plan Summary 2022-25
- Spring 2023 Newsletter
- Fall 2022 Newsletter
Spring 2022 Newsletter
- Fall 2021 Newsletter
- Spring 2021 Newsletter
- Fall 2020 Newsletter
- Spring 2020 Newsletter
Notable Stories of 2023
Little Free Library working to end ‘reading deserts’ (FOX News Twin Cities)
San Francisco Fights Urban Disorder—and Goes After a Little Free Library (Wall Street Journal)
Plot twist: Activists skirt book bans with guerrilla giveaways and pop-up libraries (NPR)
Gov. Tim Walz installs “Little Free Library” (CBS News Twin Cities)
San Francisco bureaucrats gave woman a choice: Remove free library or pay $1,400 after one anonymous complaint (San Francisco Chronicle)
Legacy and Impact Lead This Year’s All Ways Black Initiative From Penguin Random House (Adweek)
Ice is nice, but Washington capitals are now in the library business, too (WUSA 9 and others)
How to Build Your Own Little Free Library (Family Handyman)The Love of Books + The Power of Community (We are for Good, podcast episode 381)
Other Notable Stories
Ask This Old House, Season 21, Episode 8 “How to Build and Install a Little Free Library” (Ask This Old House)
Home Town, Season 6, Episode 12 “A Solid Foundation” (HGTV)
5 of my all-time favorite books (Gates Notes)
What Director Daniel Kwan Can’t Live Without (New York Magazine, The Strategist)
Making Great Literature Available to Underserved Communities (CityNews Toronto)
Positive Charge! PDX and Little Free Library Partner to Increase Inclusion (KATU2)
Twin Cities Business Giving Guide
Interview: Little Free Library moves headquarters to Saint Paul (KSTP)
The world was his oyster, but he chose Minnesota (Star Tribune)
St. Pete woman creates 236 ‘Little Free Libraries,’ gets international award (WFLA News)
Woodbury woman puts up Hogwarts free book library to spread love of reading (Fox 9)
Stephen and Ayesha Curry Hope Their Youth Literacy Project Will Transform Oakland (Parents)
‘She saw somebody that looked like her’: Read in Color program highlights BIPOC authors, characters (KARE 11)
6 Little Free Libraries worth visiting, from D.C. to California (Washington Post)
Savannah Arts Academy English teacher creates little library filled with banned books (Savannah Morning News)
Dad-themed Little Free Libraries unveiled in Northeast Ohio as part of NBA All-Star festivities (WKYC)
LFL Is the World’s Biggest Book-Sharing Program, And It’s On An Important New Mission (Scary Mommy)
Little Free Library Launches Read in Color Diversity Initiative (Publishers Weekly)
Where Covid Left Holes Volunteers Stepped In (New York Times)
Little Free Library starts ‘Read in Color’ initiative, includes more books about people of color (Upworthy)
Little Free Library is diversifying its book-sharing boxes with more titles about people of color (CNN)
Helping everyone see themselves in the pages of a book (Fox 9)
Little Free Library Launches ‘Read in Color’ Initiative (WCCO 4)
Little Free Library fights racism by diversifying its book-sharing boxes: ‘Everyone should see themselves’ (USA Today)
Are Little Free Libraries helping locals survive COVID? (Los Angeles Times)
Little library transforms into mini pantry of essential needs (CBS Evening News)
Small free libraries offering solace amid virus shutdowns (Associated Press)
Little libraries become food pantries during COVID-19 (PBS NewsHour)
Kindness can’t be quarantined: Little Free Libraries provide food, toilet paper during pandemic (USA Today)
People are stocking Little Free Libraries with food, supplies during coronavirus pandemic (The Hill)
Little Free Libraries turned into food pantries during coronavirus spread (Los Angeles Times)
How One Mother Used a Little Free Library to Teach Her Daughter Empathy (Real Simple)
Navajo Nation opens first Little Free Library thanks to teacher (The Republic)
Bringing Little Free Libraries to School (We Are Teachers)
In 10 years, Little Free Libraries have made a big impact (Washington Post)
Little Free Library Unveils 100,000 Box, Celebrates with Giveaway (School Library Journal)
The Most Magical ‘Little Free Library’ Is Built Right Into a Tree Stump (Atlas Obscura)