Walking around Fullerton, have you ever noticed those house-like structures on posts in some of the front yards? They are the Little Free Library. According to Wikipedia, the late Todd Bol built the first Little Free Library in Hudson, Wisconsin, in 2009.

“This wooden container of books was a tribute to his late mother, a schoolteacher and book lover, who had recently died. He and his partner, Rick Brooks, built and installed more of these with the goal of eventually constructing 2,510 Little Libraries,” Todd told the Star Tribune in 2018. By 2012, they had met that goal.

Individuals build and maintain these libraries, which can be registered for a small amount and used to promote various book-related projects. (https://littlefreelibrary.org/stewards/registration/) Being registered, one can legally use the Little Free Library brand name and place the charter sign and official charter number on the box. More than 150,000 public book exchanges are registered. In 2012, it was officially federally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

“These Little Free Libraries are more than just repositories of books. They are the seeds of community. They bridge gaps, bringing people together through the shared love of reading. While some may assume these libraries are only found in affluent neighborhoods, the truth is far from it. In Houston, for instance, they were installed in front of 50 barbershops in low-income areas, fostering a sense of community and accessibility to books,” according to Little Free Library.

Little Free Libraries on trains?

During a train ride overseas, a friend found a book that had been left. The conductor told her that leaving books on trains for others to read is the practice. You could do that on buses as well.

Take pride in our city of Fullerton and notice those Little Free Libraries. Take a selfie and send us the location.

I noticed one located on Dorothy Lane near Acacia in memory of Marion Nordberg, a teacher in Fullerton who inspired young children to read. There is also the Brownie and Caramel’s Dog Library, where you can take or leave a dog toy or treat—life is better with a dog, a book, and even better with both!