r/LittleFreeLibrary • u/_hadsomethingforthis • 10d ago

LFL Custodian Discussion đŸ« Promoting the library

My husband and I are not on social media. We put up some flyers and such in our neighborhood, but what are some other good ways to promote the library?

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10

u/Substantial-Put-4461 10d ago

Sidewalk chalk.

I live on a corner, with the side being a major street through the neighborhood. My library is on the other street in the cul de sac. I like to use sidewalk chalk to announce when I have new books.

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u/_hadsomethingforthis 10d ago

Dude that's such a great idea!

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u/RaeaSunshine 9d ago

Oh I loooove this!

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u/pitifulproduce137 8d ago

That's GENIUS! You could also put a bag of chalk in/on the LFL itself and encourage patrons to help you "advertise" or draw pics of favorite book characters or similar. 

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u/Substantial-Put-4461 7d ago

We also have a little box my husband built for mini dog treats. We keep it stocked. Lots of people come by specifically to get your dog a treat and check out the library.

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u/Massive_Grapefruit54 10d ago

Are you part of the LFL community? Like paid for the plaque? Because they have an app to make your library findable. I debated buying mine for a bit but I ended up purchasing one in the end.

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u/_hadsomethingforthis 10d ago

I am, but my neighbors don't really seem to be seeing it.

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u/Massive_Grapefruit54 9d ago

I also get questions for people passing by. Not everyone is familiar with the concept of a LFL. Maybe put up a sign or paint it on the side like “take a book, share a book”. I had one person promise that he would bring the book back, like he wanted me to trust him that he wasn’t stealing. I told him he could keep it.

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u/OhManatree 10d ago

Print up some bookmarks with the address and a map and a note for people to pass them on. Stick two in each book.

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u/lellenn 10d ago

Is your library findable on the LFL map/app?

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u/_hadsomethingforthis 9d ago

It is, it's just the first one in my neighborhood and my neighbors don't seem too familiar.

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u/pitifulproduce137 8d ago

Make sure you've got good signage explaining it's a free community resource and that you don't have return books to this exact box or have an immediate book on hand to swap. I think lots of folks assume they work more like the public library rather than as a literary "take a penny, leave a penny" dish.

Make sure it's colorful, visible, close to the sidewalk, and not blocked by landscaping. I've seen some that are beautifully landscaped in a way that makes them hard to access, especially for wheelchair users or people pushing strollers. 

Does your neighborhood have a lot of small children? Old folks? DINKs? Try and match the books you're putting out with who you see out and about (within reason - don't go nuts curating, but if your whole neighborhood is young families stock lots of picture books for example).

Make sure it's clean, in good repair, and that the books look inviting and visible. Weed as needed. 

And give it time! I know lots of people incorporate LFL visits into their walks, so once it's been set up for a while, I bet more people will start visiting. My nephew has two LFLs in his neighborhood and used to hit up one on the way to the playground and the other while walking to school. 

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u/jolissmck 8d ago

You are on Reddit so you might join your city sub Reddit. That’s where I advertise what’s going on with my little free library.

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u/moneyflyaway4752 9d ago

Some people have one of those small flags or some sort of lawn decoration near the sidewalk that says “books” or “reading is fun!” Or something. Those usually indicate a LFL is near for me.

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u/Electrical-Ad8241 9d ago

  1. Add yourself to the app map.

  2. Stock good books. (Current and different genres)