Discovering Little Free Libraries
Little Free Library located at 243 McLeod in the U District that includes a jar of dog bones for your furry friends!
Are your kids avid readers like mine who consistently need new books? Did you know that Missoula has nearly 40 Little Free Libraries, as well as a few located in Lolo, Clinton, and Frenchtown?
If you don’t know what a Little Free Library is, let me tell you all about it! A Little Free Library is exactly like it sounds. It is a little house someone builds or buys and sets up as a “Leave a Book Take a Book” system. Bring your old books and trade them for something new to read.
Little Free Library located at 412 W. Alder Street in downtown Missoula in front of United Way
My kids (ages 6 and 7) get such a thrill from finding a new book in the little library and then leaving behind an old book for someone else to enjoy. Adult and children’s books can be found in these little libraries, and the discovery of what’s inside is part of the fun. We have come across pristine copies of books published this year, and much loved copies of books that have been around since I was young. The owners often build these themselves, and they can be really creative as well! Part of the fun is wondering what the little library will look like. Missoula has many creative and unique hand built ones that are deslightful. We have often spent a Saturday just driving from library to library to see what they look like and what treasures we can find inside. My kids get just as much joy from leaving a book as they do from finding one for themselves.
Two Little Free Libraries located at 2525 Rattlesnake Dr. in front of Clark Fork School in the Rattlesnake neighborhood
These libraries are located in nearly every neighborhood of Missoula, near schools and parks, as well as in front of homes. They have a website (littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap) where a map is available to find libraries in certain neighborhoods, but we have more than once discovered an unregistered one while out hunting for them. You will be surprised at how many there are in Missoula and just how fun it is to find one. Once you know they are out there, you will start to spot them everywhere.
Go through your bookcase and fill a box with old books you are willing to part with, and then see what gems others have been willing to share. All this costs is the price of gas and a few hours of your time.
