Todd Bol is the founder of the non-profit Little Free Libraries. Bol built thefirst little library in 2009 to honor his mom, who was a book lover and teacher. Bol wanted to share his mother's love for reading with others. He decided to build a wood box and fill it with books. He made it look like a tiny red schoolhouse. He placed the box of books on a post in his front yard with a sign that read "Free Books." This was the beginning of the Little Free Library.
Soon Bol's neighbors noticed this tiny model of a schoolhouse. They began taking the books and replacing them with books of their own. The tiny library was always open. A library card was not needed. The books could be read and returned whenever. It offered people an easy way to read. This library didn't just provide books. It also helped build friendships among community. members. As more and more people visited Bol's little library, they began talking with one another. Everyone loved the little library. They shared thoughts, ideas, and s tories. They got to know one another. After all, as Bol said, "It's a magic box with books.
"Bol's friends and neighbors wanted little libraries of their own. Bol built several and gave them away. One of his friends, Rick Brooks, noticed that the libraries encouraged people to read. He believed that Bol's little libraries could benefit more than just local friends and neighbors. With this in mind, Boland Brookes came up with a plan to build more than 2,500 Little Free Libraries around the world. To achieve this goal, they created a website. People can get information about the Little Free Libraries and how they can set up little libraries of their own.
Thanks to Bol and Brooks, the Little Free Libraries are encouraging people to read more and to be friendlier. Today there are more than 75, 00 0 Little Free Libraries around the world, and they can be found on almost every continent.
