One question we hear often is how do I keep people interested in my Library after the initial excitement wears off?
Some neighborhoods just naturally adopt Libraries and a steady ebb and flow of books comes naturally.
Swapna’s Little Free Library!
For others, it takes a little more work, especially if you aren’t in the busiest location. One idea we love comes to us from Swapna Krishna, Little Free Library steward, book reviewer, contributing editor to Book Riot and creative genius behind S. Krishna’s Books.
Swapna has started doing Little Free Library Takeovers, where she picks a day (or a few days) and she stocks her Library with exclusively one title and tells all of her friends and neighbors to come check it out.
It’s a great way to mix things up, re-engage your friends and neighbors and showcase a book that you think people should read.
In this 5-minute video, Swapna tells you how to host a takeover!
OK, we admit – Swapna has it easier than most since publishers send her copies of new titles to review. You probably don’t have that same set-up, but that doesn’t mean you can’t host a takeover!
If you don’t have a ton of copies of the same book, try featuring a specific genre, author or publisher. How about a classic or vintage book weekend? Or a Harry Potter party? You could ask the public library or a local book store to donate copies for a takeover and you’ll advertise the partnership with fliers, bookmarks and social media posts. Get creative!
Want to know more about Library Takeovers, learn which publishers you should contact and see a proven email template that will get you free books? Click here.
Our LFL is doing a Vintage Book Week this very week! We are located near a school, and since the throngs of schoolchildren are away on Thanksgiving Break, we thought we’d offer something different. Lovely Free Books! Hooray!
Send me more information on how I can find your book publishing contacts. Our Rotary Club has a Little Free Library which has been funded by a placemaking grant from the Southwestern Board of Realtors.
Hello Dixie,
The best way to receive free books from publishers is to have your information listed publicly on the World Map or Appendix. We have worked with awesome publishers like Coffee House Press and Riverhead Books to run contests and promos offering free, new books to LFL stewards. If you haven’t yet signed up for our EBlasts (click the Follow button in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen), be sure to do so to be sure you don’t miss out!
Sometimes publishers just contact the stewards who are listed on the World Map and offer to send books for their own reasons, like during Banned Books Week or World Book Night.
Read on!
If at all possible, I would appreciate children’s books. I live within walking distance of a K-8 school and constantly running out of children’s literature.
Thanks,
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
That’s a common problem (but a good one to have – think how many kids are reading because of your Library!). If you haven’t yet, check out the Rewards for Stewards page: https://littlefreelibrary.org/product-category/rewards/
There is an awesome bilingual children’s book package available there. Perhaps you could reach out to your local public library, Friends of the Library group or local book stores to set up a system where they donate their excess stock to you.
Good luck!
Hello Megan.
For the Christmas season , late November through early January, I have stocked my LFL exclusively with Christmas books. I guess you could call it a Christmas takeover. Kid’s story books, craft books, young adult novels, and even adult Christmas-themed murder mysteries. I decorated the outside of the box and made a colourful sign to put in the library window.
I have already started plans to have theme months; adult mystery month, Christmas of course, maybe books based on movies or vice versa… I’ve been thinking of adding one of the moveable arms that they have on rural post boxes to which I can add the theme sign and let visitors know what’s up.
I’ve attached a photo of the Christmas library. Thanks for sending on this idea. It’s possible lots of us have been doing this. I’d love to hear more ideas!
Hello Megan.
For the Christmas season , late November through early January, I have stocked my LFL exclusively with Christmas books. I guess you could call it a Christmas takeover. Kid’s story books, craft books, young adult novels, and even adult Christmas-themed murder mysteries. I decorated the outside of the box and made a colourful sign to put in the library window.
I have already started plans to have theme months; adult mystery month, Christmas of course, maybe books based on movies or vice versa… I’ve been thinking of adding one of the moveable arms that they have on rural post boxes to which I can add the theme sign and let visitors know what’s up.
Thanks for sending on this idea. It’s possible lots of us have been doing this. I’d love to hear more ideas!
Peggy, it was my pleasure to share this awesome idea. It sounds like you have an awesome system in place – what a lucky neighborhood!
I want to send a picture of the little library we made for your web site. What email do I send it to?
Thank You
Loralee
I had great fun filling the Little Free Library at Meridian City Hall (Idaho) exclusively with Christmas books during the entire month December. People loved it! In February, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m going to wrap several books in brown paper wrapping and red or pink string with an outside label that gives a brief hint what the book inside is about. Then I’ll invite my Little Free Library users to “Enjoy a Blind Date with a Book.” I got this idea from the local library!