Googling, I discovered that the minibieb movement started in Wisconsin in the US and that there now are little free libraries (as they are officially called) in 91 countries. Do you have them near you, too? Do you use them?
Some people seem to be worried that they will steal readers from the public libraries. Hm, maybe. Or maybe they’ll create new readers eager to move onto larger libraries after a while.
More information and a world map can be found on the Little Free Library website. The Dutch minibieb website can be found here. I don’t know if this goes for the rest of the world, but in the Netherlands there are many, many more minibiebs than those registered on the website. Once you’ve found one, you can always ask the owner if they know more near where you live.
Well, that’s all for today. I hope to be back next week with a knitting story. Bye for now and take care!
Nice story and collection of biebs!
I’d like to add two:
At the beginning of the pandemic, we had a small ‘toilet paper crisis’ in the Netherlands and one owner of a little library in Groningen replaced his books with rolls of toiletpaper. It appeared on the news, but I cannot find it anymore. I think he did it to show us all to keep calm.
More serious, in Deventer a man has added sanitary towels and tampons to his free little library, for women who cannot afford them. I was really touched by this. Article (in Dutch) can be found here:
https://www.salland1.nl/eerste-deventer-minibieb-met-menstruatiemateriaal/
Those are really nice (and fun) additions! I hadn’t heard of them. I really love the spirit of these little librarians.
How sweet! I really must visit the Netherlands more, I am sure I would enjoy it. I have been to Amsterdam for one weekend but that’s it.
I haven’t seen this kind of public miniature libraries here in Sweden, but it is more and more common to have a bookshelf in cafés or hotels or workplaces where one can trade books.
It would be wonderful if you could come over! Amsterdam isn’t representative of the rest of the country at all. Having books in public places to read or swap is great, too. We don’t see that much here.
Hello,
I find your blog delightful, thank you!
We have mini libraries scattered throughout the streets in my town (Princeton, NJ). They’ve been especially active throughout the pandemic. It’s a lovely idea, thanks for the photos of mini biebs in the Netherlands, it’s fun to take a virtual stroll.
Take care and thanks again for the wonderful writing and knitting inspiration.
Cheers,
Pat
It’s nice to know that there are some of these mini libraries where you live, too. I love it, how I get to hear about other parts of the world in this way. I’m glad you enjoy my writings. Thanks for your very kind words!