How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library: 11 Mini Structures You Can Build

Expand the book-sharing movement to your community with How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library—your photo-illustrated, inspirational source for building tiny sharing libraries.

Around the world, a community movement is underway featuring quaint landscape structures mounted on posts in front yards and other green spaces, as well as supported in large pots and other vessels outside homes and businesses on busy urban streets. They are evidence of the growing trend toward neighborhood organization, community outreach, and in some cases, a quiet protest against book bans.

This movement has been popularized by Minnesota-based Little Free Library (LFL), whose members currently include 200,000 library stewards around the world who seek to build community togetherness and promote reading by sharing books among neighbors. LFL has inspired builders to use similar structures to share things like CDs, food, and seeds in the community.

Produced in cooperation with the Little Free Library nonprofit organization and authored by professional carpenter Phil Schmidt, How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library is the builder’s complete source of inspiration and how-to knowledge. This newly updated, information-packed guide features:

• A how-to for planning and designing your little sharing structure • An overview of building materials and tools 11 complete plans • for structures of varying sizes and aesthetics Step-by-step color photography and instructions • A gallery of tiny structures, along with uplifting words from stewards, for further inspiration • Information on proper installation of the small structures • Common repairs and maintenance for down the road • Timely information on how LFL has become part of the growing movement against book bans

How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library even includes information on how to become an official library steward, getting the word out about your little structure once it’s up and running, and tips for building a lively collection. Also included are QR codes for additional building videos as well as interactive maps for locating other LFLs near you—or wherever you may travel!

Community togetherness has never been so much at the fore of our consciousness—or so important. How to Build Your Very Own Little Free Library is one tool on the road to helping you build community in your neighborhood.

© 2025 Cool Springs Press (Ebook): 9780760398838

Release date

Ebook: 2 September 2025