Happy (Belated) Birthday, Little Free Libraries!

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Small bookshelves on posts... that's all they are, really. These simple little structures have brought indescribable joy to millions of people worldwide since they started popping up in city neighborhoods and rural roads eleven years ago. We want to wish Little Free Library (LFL), the organization behind the "take a book, leave a book" philosophy, the very happiest of birthdays. Increased access to books is the very cornerstone of our mission. We think this fabulous nonprofit has hit the nail on the head and is a great partner for libraries.

Little Free Library 2.0 and Library Consultant and LFL Steward Shellie Zeigler

The Mississippi Library Commission has operated its own LFL since 2017. Our first one became waterlogged--thank you, stormy weather--but we replaced it immediately because of its overwhelming popularity on our little circle at the Research and Development Center. In fact, we like this concept--readily accessible books for those in need of a quick reading fix--so much that we wanted to see them across Mississippi. Over the past several years, the MLC has granted nearly 100 Little Free Libraries to Mississippi public libraries through Institute of Museum and Library Services funds. You'll find these LFLs at the following Mississippi library systems:

• Central Mississippi Regional Library
• Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System
• Dixie Regional Library System
• East MS Regional Library
• Elizabeth Jones Library
• Greenwood-Leflore Public Library System
• Hancock County Library System
• Harrison County Library System

  

  Little Free Library 1.0 and
  Library Services Director Tracy Carr
  

• Humphreys County Library System
• Jackson George Regional Library System
• Jackson/Hinds Library System
• Kemper-Newton Regional Library System
• Laurel-Jones County Library System
• Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library
• Madison County Library System
• Marshall County Library System
• Mid-MS Regional Library System
• Northeast Regional Library System
• Noxubee County Library System
• Sharkey-Issaquena County Library
• South Mississippi Regional Library
• Sunflower County Library System
• Washington County Library System
• Tallahatchie County Library
• Tombigbee Regional Library
• Union County Library System
• Waynesboro-Wayne County Library
• Wilkinson County Library System

If you'd like to visit one of these Little Free Libraries, you can find them all on the official LFL map. They're a great place to visit to find books in your community!