Little Free Libraries = Community Engagement Lori Berezovsky Outreach Librarian Salina Public Library

Beginnings The library received a generous memorial fund with no stipulations for its use. 3 Little Free Libraries were planned. Our original goals: Use Little Free Libraries as a way to strengthen community ties, as well as get books into the hands of those who may not have access to them.

The details Friends of the Library donate books to the Little Free Libraries. Find builders Zoning restrictions Locate utilities City of Salina’s Parks and Recreation department Create an agreement for both parties to sign

Our agreement

Our Builders Local cabinet-making business The father of a library employee North Central Kansas Woodworkers’ Guild

A local woodworker’s group learned of our original 3 Little Free Libraries, and volunteered to make more. They produced 6 more Little Libraries, each an original design.

Adopt a Little Library Current adopters include: Individuals Residents of a independent living facility 4-H Club Kansas Wesleyan University Honors Students Salina Area Technical College staff

The benefits of adoption “I love the little libraries. It's interesting to see what is popular with users. The children's books fly off the shelf! Since reading is such a joy for me I want to encourage others and the accessibility of the little libraries help to do that. I've been surprised how often people leave a stack of books to help restock the shelf. Since the little libraries we've adopted are so handy to where we live it's really easy for us to check on them.” --Melanie

Adopters speak “Recently, my daughter and I began to visit the Little Free Libraries in Salina. I contacted Lori and to my surprise, she told me one library was up for adoption, and I jumped at the chance! I can tell it gets a lot of visitors when I make my weekly rounds. How exciting to think that kids and adults alike have this wonderful service in their neighborhood! It promotes not just access to a variety of reading material, but supports responsibility in the "take one, leave one" opportunity.”-- Jerri

The community speaks “I stop at garage sales and buy up all of the children’s books, then I drive around town to the Little Free Libraries and fill them up! “I live across the street from the rocket, and I keep an eye on it. I’ve gotten after kids who are rough housing near it. My next door neighbor does the same thing. A lady who lives down the block has come and taken all the books from the Little Library, but I can tell you, we are on it. She won’t be doing that anymore.” “This has become something that my daughter and I both look forward to each week. We usually leave a book or two, but we enjoy looking to see what’s new, too.”

Lessons Learned Be patient. Recruit as many ambassadors as possible. Give credit where it’s due. Welcome the serendipitous.

Evaluating LFLs Shoot for anecdotal information, rather than numbers. Take into consideration what people say about the Little Free Libraries. Track how often you need to fill them, and what books go quickly, and which ones don’t. What is the level of interest in using, adopting, or supporting Little Free Libraries in your community?

Little Free Libraries… …have a wide reach in the community. …have inspired readers to take ownership of them. …have united neighbors. …have increased the number of library volunteers and partnerships. …have become off-site library access to many residents. …have inspired many book drives. …have inspired other organizations to build their own Little Free Libraries.

Thank you! Lori Berezovsky Outreach Librarian Salina Public Library infoservices.lori@salpublib.org