Volunteer with Little Free Library!
Team LFL connects individual volunteers and community groups with opportunities to support the network of Little Free Library book-sharing boxes. You can make a difference by expanding book access in your community. Join the team to help us achieve our vision of a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader!
Why Volunteer?
Share the joy of reading
Team LFL volunteers help to sustain the network of book-sharing boxes by getting more books into the hands of readers. When you share books with your community, you’re helping to inspire readers, build community, and expand book access.
Flexible opportunities fit your schedule
Most Team LFL volunteer roles have flexible scheduling that can fit around your other commitments.
Volunteer along with family and friends
Many opportunities are open to bringing along family members or friends as you volunteer. Share your love of reading and community connection with a loved one as you volunteer together.
Volunteer opportunities are available across the U.S. — get involved anywhere where you can find Little Free Libraries!
Find registered book-sharing boxes near you using our free mobile app.
How to Get Started as a Team LFL Volunteer
- Review the opportunities available at volunteer.littlefreelibrary.org.
- Register for an opportunity that fits your interests and schedule. If it’s your first time signing up, create an account in our GivePulse volunteer hub.
- Your registration will be reviewed and you will be connected with Little Free Library staff, a Little Free Library steward (the caretaker of a book-sharing box), or community partner organization.
- For some volunteer roles, you will need to review training materials. Training is self-paced and online.
- After you have volunteered, submit an impact form in our GivePulse volunteer hub to tell us how it went. You will need to log in to your account in our GivePulse volunteer hub to submit your impact form.
- Begin volunteering and supporting Little Free Libraries!
On average, the process to start volunteering typically takes 7-10 business days, though this may take longer depending on steward and community partner organization schedules.
Sign up for a volunteer info session to learn more, or send us an email at volunteer@littlefreelibrary.org.
Individual Volunteering
Click a pin on the map to learn more about a volunteer opportunity.
Individual volunteers can also do these volunteer activities anywhere in the U.S. where you find Little Free Library book-sharing boxes:
- Distribute books to Little Free Libraries near you
- Coordinate a book drive for Little Free Libraries near you
Group Volunteering
Are you looking for a volunteer experience for a group of friends, team of colleagues, or youth group? We’d love to hear from you. With advance planning, we can tailor an experience to fit your group. Start the conversation by contacting us at volunteer@littlefreelibrary.org
Youth Volunteers
Whether it’s coordinating a book drive or distributing books throughout their communities, youth volunteers play a vital role in fostering a love for reading. Learn more about our youth volunteer opportunities here. Through our online volunteer hub, youth can download a document showing their verified volunteer hours for school or youth groups. Parent/guardian permission is required for all youth volunteers under 18.
If you’re a young volunteer who has a unique idea for a service project involving Little Free Libraries, contact us at volunteer@littlefreelibrary.org.
Team LFL FAQ
What is Team LFL?
Team LFL is the volunteer engagement initiative of Little Free Library. Team LFL connects volunteers and community groups with opportunities to support the network of Little Free Libraries and programs. Currently, volunteer opportunities are focused on our book-sharing boxes in the U.S.
Why was Team LFL created?
We started Team LFL because people want to support Little Free Library, but might not want to manage book-sharing boxes themselves. Team LFL volunteers are individuals and groups who assist stewards or our community partner organizations.
Little Free Library aims to expand book-sharing boxes in areas with limited access to books, known as book deserts. To sustainably maintain quality book boxes in these areas, we’re engaging Team LFL volunteers to maintain, stock, and support Little Free Libraries.
Of course, the need for sustainable Little Free Library support is not limited to libraries located in book deserts. Stewards anywhere in the U.S. can request volunteer support from Team LFL if they need it.
I’m already a Little Free Library steward. How do I fit into Team LFL?
Stewards are the heart of Little Free Library and we value the work that you do sharing books with your community.
If you’re comfortable maintaining your Little Free Library independently, that’s great! You are not required to create a Team LFL account or request Team LFL volunteers. However, if you’d like additional support with book supply or community literacy efforts, Team LFL is here to help. Request volunteer support by filling out this online form.
Team LFL will also offer events and activities that stewards can choose to participate in. To be a part of these community engagement events, you’ll need to create a Team LFL account.
I (or a group I’m a part of) already volunteer to support Little Free Libraries in my community. Do we need to register with Team LFL?
Thank you for your support! We encourage you to tell us about your efforts using our Team LFL Impact form. This helps us better understand the widespread impact of Little Free Libraries and the volunteers who support them.
I am a Little Free Library steward. How do I get support from Team LFL volunteers?
If you have a registered Little Free Library, you can request help from Team LFL to keep your Little Free Library stocked with books. Staff will review your request before sharing it on the Team LFL website. We may contact you with follow up questions about your volunteer needs.
We recommend that stewards requesting volunteer support use our Little Free Library app to map their library so that volunteers can easily find the location.
While we will do our best to recruit volunteers, we cannot guarantee that a volunteer will respond. You know your community best. We encourage you to promote your Team LFL volunteer request locally.
Our organization is a Little Free Library partner. How can Team LFL volunteers support our work?
Partner organizations can become affiliates in our Team LFL hub, recruiting volunteers for their own events or community needs.
I need to complete community service hours. Does volunteering with Little Free Library count?
It might! First, check volunteer.littlefreelibrary.org for available opportunities. Then confirm with your school or organization that these opportunities qualify.
To get verification of your volunteer hours:
- Register through our GivePulse volunteer hub and submit an impact form after volunteering.
- Staff will verify your impact form within 2-3 business days.
- Once verified, download your impact summary from your volunteer account to use as verification.
If you need extra paperwork signed, email it with instructions to volunteer@littlefreelibrary.org. Allow 2-3 business days for a response.