What started as a simple idea became a global
literacy movement. The first Little Free Library
book-sharing box was built in 2009 in Wisconsin.
There are now more than 150,000 registered,
volunteer-led Little Free Libraries around the world.
The Little Free Library nonprofit organization is at
the heart of this phenomenon. Our growing network
shares our mission to be a catalyst for building
community, inspiring readers, and expanding book
access for all.
Little Free Library Highlights
• More than 300 million books have been shared
through registered Little Free Libraries, profoundly
increasing book access for readers of all ages
and backgrounds.
• Thousands of neighbors have connected for
the first time, building stronger and friendlier
communities.
• Our Impact Library Program has granted more
than 2,000 Little Free Libraries at no cost to
communities where they are needed most.
• Launched in 2020, ourRead in Color initiative
has reached 14 cities and distributed more than
40,000 diverse books celebrating BIPOC,
LGBTQ+, and other marginalized voices.
Little Free Library By the Numbers
150,000
Little Free Libraries
50
U.S. States
Served
120
Countries
Served
• Our Indigenous Library Program has provided
little libraries full of books to Native communities
in partnership with tribal leaders.
• LFL has attracted high-profile collaborators
including Amerigroup, Disney, Foresters Financial,
Good Morning America, Goodreads, Marvel,
Scotiabank, and Sony.
• LFL has been awarded the World Literacy Award
and Guidestar’s respected Platinum Seal of
Transparency, as well as recognition from the
Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation,
the Women’s National Book Association, and more.
Milestones
2009 - Todd H. Bol
creates the first Little Free
Library book-sharing box
at his home in Hudson,
Wisconsin
2020 - The 100,000th
Little Free Library book-
sharing box is donated
to the Association for the
Advancement of Mexican
Americans in Houston, TX
- LFL receives the World
Literacy Award
- A Little Free Library is
established at the South
Pole, expanding Little Free
Libraries to all 7 continents
- LFL launches Read in
Color in the Twin Cities,
a new initiative bringing
diverse books to Little Free
Library book-sharing boxes
around the world
2016 - 50,000 Little Free
Libraries are now found
in all 50 states and 70
countries
- LFL’s Impact Library
Program launches, granting
no-cost Libraries full
of books to high-need
communities
2012 - Little Free Library
is officially established
as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization
- In August, the 2,510th
Little Free Library is built,
and the goal of surpassing
the number of Andrew
Carnegie’s free public
libraries is reached
2021 - The 125,000th
Little Free Library is
installed at the Wind River
Reservation in Wyoming
- LFL launches Unbound,
a digital event series
connecting stewards and
supporters
- The Impact Library
Program grants its 1,500th
no-cost Little Free Library
- LFL rolls out Read in Color
to nine additional cities
- LFL network reaches
milestone of sharing 250
million books
2017 - LFL receives
Women’s National Book
Association’s Second
Century Prize
2022 - The 150,000th
Little Free Library is
unveiled at a Head Start
site in Lebanon, Tennessee
- LFL debuts its mobile
app for iOS and Android,
making it easy to find Little
Free Library locations near
you—wherever you are in
the world
- The LFL office relocates
from Hudson, Wisconsin,
to St. Paul, Minnesota
2013 - The National
Book Foundation awards
LFL an Innovations in
Reading Prize
- Library Journal presents
LFL with a Movers
and Shakers Award,
highlighting the thought
leaders in the library
industry
2018 - LFL receives the
Force for Positive Change
Award
- LFL partners with Disney
and Marvel Studios to
produce Avengers-themed
Little Free Libraries
- The Today Show unveils
their Little Free Library at
30 Rockefeller Plaza in NYC
- The 75,000th Little
Free Library is given to
an elementary school in
Oklahoma via LFL’s Impact
Library Program
2015 - The Little Free Library
Book is released, chronicling
the journey of LFL and
stewards worldwide
- In October, LFL is awarded
the Library of Congress
Literacy Award for its
effective implementation
of best practices in literacy
and reading promotion
2019 - LFL celebrates ten
years of Little Free Libraries
with the first annual
Todd H. Bol Awards for
Outstanding Achievement
- A Little Free Library
is unveiled at the
Smithsonian’s National
Museum of the American
Indian in Washington, D.C.
100,000
10 Years
1
st
LittleFreeLibrary.org | 2327 Wycliff St.,
Suite 220, St. Paul, MN 54114 | 715-690-2488
Little Free Library Milestones 1/23
