A Word From Todd H. Bol, who built a global network of readers and stronger communities The Little Free Library Sharing Network empowers individuals to become community heroes who use their libraries in many ways. Some stewards place an emphasis on children’s books, to keep kids reading all year long. Some host a seed exchange inside the sharing box so neighbors can trade flower and vegetable seeds. Still others host Little Free Pantries that offer nonperishable food and toiletry items for neighbors in need. Each library comes to reflect what the community needs most. We’re thrilled to welcome you to the Little Free Library Sharing Network, and we invite you to explore how a Little Free Library can benefit your community. With Little Free Libraries, we are coming together, we are connecting, and we are reading. And these small seeds of literacy and community keep growing and growing. Pictured is Todd Bol’s very first Little Free Library. Your complete source for building tiny sharing structures, including plans for 12 different structures, step-by-step photography and instructions, inspirational examples, and maintenance Introduction Inside this book you will find instructions for twelve tiny structures, including a garden box and garden shed. While the other ten plans are ostensibly libraries (including one that recreates Bol’s first-ever Little Free Library), how you use the finished structures is up to you. Elsewhere in the book are instructions and advice for everything you need to know about building, mounting, maintaining, and even registering your Little Free Library, and then spreading the word about your new sharing box. Planning & Design Now that you’re getting serious about having a little structure of your very own, what do you want yours to be? What shape will it have? How big will it be? Where will it go? And most importantly, what will it do? These and other essential planning questions will help you get from the drawing board to a useful, lovable, tiny building with as little trouble as possible. And there’s no reason to rush through the process—dreaming and planning are half the fun. Building Basics If you’re an experienced builder, this chapter might not teach you anything new, but you might find some helpful tips and reminders. For novice builders, the information here will help ensure your little structure is ready to stand up to the weather and lots of use, whether you intend to follow one of the project plans in Chapter 3 or branch out with a custom design. After this quick primer on building basics, you’ll be ready to move on to the fun part: actually building something. Build community togetherness and promote reading at the same time by sharing books among neighbors Project Plans It’s time to build! Each of the twelve projects in this chapter includes a construction drawing, tools and materials list, cutting list, and step-by-step instructions and photos to walk you through the project from start to finish. The projects are arranged in no particular order, and some are a bit more complicated than others, but the first one is undoubtedly the easiest. That’s because it uses a kit from Little Free Library. You can order the same kit, complete with all of the necessary parts, and use the instructions provided here to assemble it. Installing Your Structure There are many ways to mount a tiny structure, and really no rules—unless the city or your HOA imposes some. Make sure you check for any potential restrictions or requirements that may affect where and how you install your structure (see Location, Permission & Other Considerations on page 15). The most common method of installing a structure intended for community sharing is to mount it on a wood post buried in the ground. The post goes in just like a fencepost and usually doesn’t need to be anchored in concrete; compacted soil or rock gives an average-size structure plenty of stability. Why Start a Little Free Library? Building a Little Free Library book exchange and becoming a Little Free Library steward can enrich your life—and your community—in many ways. Some people gravitate toward Little Free Libraries because they want to meet more neighbors and help bring their community together. Others want to increase book access for kids and adults in areas where books are scarce. And still others simply want to share the sheer joy of reading. When you start your Little Free Library, you could spark all of these outcomes and more. Your “take a book, share a book” box may introduce a reluctant young reader to an author he or she loves, share a dose of kindness with a neighbor who needs it, or start a ripple effect of neighborhood engagement. Sizing for Books Books come in all shapes and sizes (thankfully), but most are no taller than 12" and no wider than 11". Standard bookshelves tend to be around 12" tall and 11" to 12" deep. Large coffee-table books and art books are notable exceptions but seldom are wider than 12", allowing them to fit on a shelf when laid flat. When planning a structure for sharing books, make sure the usable interior space is at least 12" high, 12" deep, and 12" wide. That’s a pretty small lending library, so you might go bigger than that. If you go high enough, you can accommodate a second shelf, even if it’s a short shelf area (great for small paperbacks and children’s board books) above a standard 12"-high shelf, or a compartment below. Make sure your library has plenty of usable interior space—including a second shelf, if possible, and even compartments for smaller paperback series.
✔ Author(s): Philip Schmidt,Little Free Library,Todd H. Bol
✔ Title: Little Free Libraries & Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (237 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0760358125
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Little Free Libraries & Tiny Sheds by Philip Schmidt
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