Guidelines for hosting a Little Free Library in your neighborhood

A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange, typically sponsored by an individual or family. It is housed in a small structure on the owner’s lawn, near a road or sidewalk, where neighbors and visitors may take a book or leave books for others to read. Right now we have six in Pittsford. They’ve been welcomed by neighbors and visitors where they’ve appeared. We also have a Little Free Library shelf, sponsored by the Friends of the Pittsford Community Library, in the Library hallway.

The Little Free Li­brary nonprofit organization supports the worldwide movement to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges in local communities.

If you are interested in setting up your own Little Free Library here in Pittsford, you don't need a special permit - just follow the guidelines below. 

Information, tips, sample designs and locations for LFLs nearby and around the world can be found on the Little Free Libraries website: www.littlefreelibrary.org.

Building a Little Free Library doesn’t require a special permit, as long as the structure adheres to the following GUIDELINES:

• Must be located on private property
• Is not located within the public road right-of-way; suggested set back 18 feet from the roadway edge or concrete gutter (in Pittsford the road right-of-way most often extends 17.5 feet back)
• Does not interfere with or obstruct the view or free passage of pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicle traffic
• Does not obstruct any fire hydrant
• Must be sized and designed so that no person (child or adult) is able to enter
• Is of moderate size, with exterior dimensions of roughly 20" wide, 22” high, and 16” deep
• Is mounted on a sturdy post or secure base

For more information, to find other LFL locations, and to register your Little Free Library, visit www.littlefreelibrary.org

Some Little Free Library examples: