They're little, they're free, and they're one of the neatest little free ideas we've seen in a while. Little Free Libraries are exactly what they sound like: tiny book collections, spread throughout cities around the country, that allow neighbors to exchange, share, and spread the literary love around. Started two years ago in Wisconsin as a way to to promote literacy and build community, the LFL has grown to over 3,000 libraries throughout the Uniter States. Earlier this year, the wee little book exchanges began popping up around our own neighborhoods, and have since grown to 5 total in East Lake, Decatur, Grant Park, and Lake Claire. And thanks to the good folks behind the Decatur Book Festival, there are about to be a dozen more.

DBF has commissioned twelve artists to build and decorate the Indian In The Cupboard-sized libraries, to be auctioned off on the Square during the festival (bidding closes this coming Monday, August 27). The winners will mount their libraries in their neighborhood, stock them with a few good books, and invite those in the community to stop by, borrow one, and bring it back when they're done, perhaps also contributing a book or two of their own until the library is full. One can simply waltz down their street, take a gander at the selection, select their reading material of choice, and spend a couple days immersed in Jeeves & Wooster until they've finished (or had their fill of those silly British antics).

You can peruse and bid on the selection of Little Free Libraries here, but take a look below for a couple that tickled our fancy. You can also locate your own neighborhood's library on this handy-dandy map. Happy reading! — GC


by C. Flux Sing


by Kyle Brooks


by Mike Luckovich


by James Dean


by Greg Farley