Have you seen a Little Free Library yet? They’re cropping up in yards, in front of businesses,
on random corners -- and, for the second year in a row, at AACRAO’s Annual Meeting. These book exchange sites are intended to promote reading and literacy and expose readers to new titles, authors, and genres.
AACRAO’s traveling version of the Little Free Library made its first appearance at AACRAO 2017 in Minneapolis. Not only is this library unique in its mobility; it was also constructed by AACRAO President-Elect Tina Falkner and her father.
“Dad did the building and I did the painting,” Falkner said. “I tried to get it as close to ‘AACRAO’ turquoise and blue as I could.”
Falkner, who lives in Minneapolis, has a Little Free Library in front of her house, and has been impressed with its popularity. One Halloween, she overheard a child trick-or-treating in the neighborhood exclaim, “How cool is this?! Free candy and free books!”
“It’s cool because people might pick up a book they may not otherwise have seen,” Falkner said.
The traveling version is smaller than the one in front of her house, but can fit a few dozen books.
“Many of us read when we travel,” Falkner said. “Now when you finish your book on the plane, you can just pick one up here instead of going into an expensive bookstore and find a book to read on the way home.”
The Little Free Library at AACRAO 2018 will be set up at the Gaming/Networking Lounge. Look for it at all upcoming AACRAO Conferences -- Annual Meeting in Orlando, Technology & Transfer in Minneapolis, and SEM in Washington, D.C. Take a book, leave a book!