Little Free Libraries in Brooklyn: Building Bridges Through Books
If you’ve ever stumbled upon a Little Free Library, you know the possibilities they can hold. What you discover inside might be familiar or surprising. Perhaps it’s the last book of your favorite series that was missing from your shelf, a collection of children’s books perfect for a young reader in your life, or maybe it’s something entirely new—a story that will take you on a far-reaching adventure that you never imagined possible.
At Brooklyn Book Bodega, our core values are Community, Choice, Access, Reuse, Ownership, and Discovery. Given that these values are also cornerstones of Little Free Libraries, it was a natural fit for us to help add to the growing number of Little Free Libraries in our community. Two years later, we’ve helped to install eight Little Free Libraries in locations spanning Brooklyn.
In conversations with our partners, they’ve shared the ways that their Little Free Libraries have expanded literacy and strengthened their communities, equalized the opportunity to access literature, and created a cycle of exchange where books are continuously rediscovered.
Centering Books in Community Life
You’ll find Little Free Libraries nestled by front stoops, at the edge of a public park or community garden, outside a local business on an unassuming street corner, and at a wide variety of expected and unexpected places. The thread that ties these locations together is community; these are spaces where neighbors connect and where everyday routines intersect.
ElliSol of Cypress Hills Development Corporation explained the Little Free Library’s presence at East New York Farms! conveys something deeper to the families who pass by each day. “Having a Little Free Library sends the message to the children and families that we serve that books are part of our community's shared resources, and that books can be fun and for everyone.”
The communities that these Little Free Libraries serve have also had a hand in helping build a sense of connection and shared ownership. Neighbors are able to contribute by leaving behind books for someone they may never meet and discovering new reads left in return.
As Collette from Pioneer Works adds, “People have expressed that it's hard to believe that Pioneer Works hasn't had a free library the whole time. It really captures the impact of the Library because that is truly how it feels. The Library has become such an integral part of our space, and to know others feel that it is what makes it worth it.”
Strengthening Access to Literature
Another one of the most significant impacts of Little Free Libraries has been their ability to expand book access. Maria of United for Brownsville described how their Little Free Library has helped level the playing field for young readers. “The impact in Brownsville to have a Little Free Library is that children in the community have the same access to free books like other kids.”
Colette continues that thread, sharing, “I think it's sending the message that books should be accessible to all and in spaces that also serve the public. So much of Pioneer Works' mission is about connecting with people and families from all walks of life and interests, and the Little Free Library is indicative of that. It's for whoever wants to interact with it, not exclusive or limited.”
As Isalia from Brooklyn Community Services says, their Little Free Library sends the message “that literacy tools are accessible to all, no matter economics, or language or cultural differences.” Another partner, Nancy, noted that, “We see more English Language Learners visiting the library and reading English books to their parents.”
Giving Books New Lives Through Re-Use
While community members have enjoyed the opportunity to take books, they’ve also contributed their own. This cycle of giving back brings the value of re-use to life. “We have one girl who visits [the Little Free Library] every time she visits her grandmother who lives on the block. She loves selecting books for herself as well as to read to her younger sister and cousins. She is very big on ‘returning books’ and sharing,” says Nancy.
Isalia shared that she witnessed, “A mom expressing gratitude for having books to read nightly to her first and third grade children. She returns books monthly to exchange for others.”
Cultivating Discovery, Ownership, and Choice
Beyond providing community, access, and re-use, our partners have been able to see the fulfillment that their Little Free Libraries bring in real time. Ben from the Chinese-American Planning Council says, “Having a Little Free Library that provides free books daily gives hope to our community members because books are expensive, and knowing that a community member can get a book anytime at our office brings joy. Seeing parents bring a book back home to their children is a great moment.”
Colette tells the story of the day their Little Free Library launched. “I stood by the library throughout the Second Sunday event both to interact with the community and replenish the Library as needed. The first family that came by was also one of the first families who came to Second Sunday, and the two girls were so excited to see that there were free books of all kinds available! They picked out a number of books, and seeing how grateful they were to get these books really showed the impact of the library.”
Moments like these illustrate the genuine value of each Little Free Library. They also embody the Brooklyn Book Bodega values of Choice, Discovery, and Ownership. These Little Free Libraries allow readers to choose stories that speak to their own interests and identities. They offer encounters with books where they can discover new worlds, and build empathy for others. And they foster a sense of stewardship, not only in owning the books themselves, but in the shared responsibility of maintaining the Little Free Libraries. This all helps to build an ecosystem where books become bridges between people, connecting us all to something bigger than ourselves, but where we all play an equal part in the foundation of strengthening literacy for everyone.
Jourdan Hercsek is Brooklyn Book Bodega’s Communications Associate.
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