18 Charming and Unique Little Free Library Book Exchange Boxes
We’ve all seen them – those charming little book nooks on the side of the road, with “Little Free Library” printed on the front. There is something beautifully nostalgic about coming across one of these while out on an evening stroll through the neighborhood. It’s like a treasure trove of literary gems, right there on the sidewalk!
From miniature cottages to funky repurposed phone booths or even creatively painted mailboxes, these little book nooks are a visual treat. Each one seems to have its own personality and story to tell. It’s like a whimsical gallery of architectural wonders, each one inviting you to explore its literary treasures.
The very first Little Free Library was built in 2009 by a Wisconsin man as a tribute to his late mother. It was designed to look like a one-room schoolhouse – she’d been a teacher – and it started a movement that has now spread to over 150,000 registered “Little Free Libraries” worldwide.
We hope you enjoy the libraries featured here – and who knows, it just may inspire you to build your own Little Free Library!
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The Second-Hand Sharing Silo with Book Cellar
A neighborhood in northeastern Seattle is home to this farm-themed “Second-Hand Sharing Silo” lending library, a round structure with two shelves and wrapped in sheet metal. Mounted below it is a “Book Cellar” for holding children’s books as well as overflow if the silo is full.
A Finely Crafted Little Free Library
The maker of this little library has some serious woodworking skills – the fine craftsmanship of this one shows it was definitely not made by your average hobbyist. We love the curved roofline, as well as the little pop of color on the front surface.
The Repurposed Toaster Oven Little Free Library
Repurposing is all the rage these days, and this clever Little Free Library maker in Kansas City, Missouri, crafted his out of an old toaster oven. When you think about it, the clear glass door of the little oven makes it perfect for just such a use!
The Old Phone Booth Lending Library
Speaking of repurposing….. since we all rely on cell phones now rather than pay phones, why not turn all those unused phone booths into little libraries and save space in our landfills for other things? This one must’ve been a recent conversion, though – the Yellow Pages binder is still hanging inside.
The Craftsman Replica Little Free Library
No, you’re not seeing double….this little roadside library in Seattle is made to be an almost perfect replica of the house behind it! A lot of painstaking work went into crafting this miniature Craftsman, and it seems to be a little incognito as the door for accessing books is on the side.
The Reading Railroad Little Free Library
Hop aboard this little library to find your next read! This adorable and unique Little Free Library in a train car comes complete with a railroad crossing sign that leaves no doubt as to what you’re supposed to do: “Read a Book, Return a Book”. The only question is, what book will you choo-choo-choose?
The Kindness Little Free Library
This little lending library in England comes with an important one-word reminder that we should all remember: Kindness. Its painted green exterior has been adorned with a beautiful and intricate tole painting design on the side that’s sure to attract passers-by.
Whimsical House Little Free Library
The creator of this Little Free Library had a unique vision and carried it out masterfully. From the curved sloping roof, to the shingled siding, to the one-of-a-kind door that looks like a Picasso version of a jack-o-lantern, there is most definitely not another like it anywhere!
The Newspaper Dispenser Little Free Library
Another entry in the repurposing theme is this newspaper dispenser box turned library, also in Seattle. What a perfect use for this unused and obviously no longer needed piece of equipment. Just don’t feed a quarter into the slot, though – these books are free!
The Three-Story House Little Free Library
This little library mounted outside a school in London is not so little after all – it has three shelves to hold books of all sizes, including larger children’s picture books. Instead of being mounted on a pole like many others, this one is secured to the fence behind it. We love the tall paned-look windows on this one!
The Police Call Box Little Free Library
Heading a little further north in the UK, this little library in Scotland has been fashioned after the blue police call boxes that were used all over the UK during the 20th century. Doctor Who fans may also recognize it as the Tardis. Another creative and unique idea for a Little Free Library!
The Little Red Train Car Free Library
The detail and craftsmanship on this little free library is amazing! Obviously created by a railroad enthusiast, this miniature train car looks like an almost exact replica of the real thing. It even comes mounted on realistic-looking track and track bed. One of our favorites!
The Kitty Cat Little Free Library
We all know cats love to perch themselves on top of things – the window sill, the counter top, the Christmas tree you just decorated….so why not a Little Free Library? This whimsical design has kitty right where he wants to be – but don’t worry, he won’t try to stop you from selecting your next read!
The Doggone Artsy Little Free Library
This Manhattan-based “Little Free Library” shows that even during the ruff times, you can still count on a good book to make things better. Featuring a hand-painted pack of furry pals (and a few birds), this neighborhood book box is the perfect place to stop and find a new treasure.
The Cock-a-Doodle-Doo Little Free Library
Another hand-painted bookkeeping treasure, this Little Free Library in a village in England pays tribute to the country life, with its beautiful flowers and the metal rooster on top. The box itself is a fairly simple design, but still has three full shelves to hold plenty of books.
The Triple-Decker Little Free Library
This colorful little library in Washington state actually holds quite a few books in its three separate compartments. Our favorite part of this charming book box, however, is the sign hanging from the bracket on the side, complete with mama bunny and baby bunny on top.
The Red & White Train Little Free Library
Apparently trains and books have some special connection, because here we are with yet another Little Free Library with a railroad theme. This train car is red and white, and a little more whimsical than the other two featured. It still packs a punch when delivering great reads, though!
The Little Free Library & Community Food Bank Combo
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, this Little Free Library doesn’t just delivery books – it delivers groceries, too. That’s right, along with a copy of “News of the World”, you can also grab a can of tuna or some chicken noodle soup. What a great idea for those a little less fortunate!
