We were happy to find most of the 15 libraries we visited to be well stocked and maintained. We did find one empty and moldy and marked it as so and one that we marked as needing more books as it was large and in front of a school. It is always fun to see all the different style of libraries. We also found a few unregistered and added to our map.
Overall, I enjoyed the volunteer experience and appreciated the opportunity to support Little Free Libraries and help make books more accessible within the community. It was rewarding to participate in an activity that promotes literacy, sharing, and community connection.
The experience also highlighted the importance of keeping the Little Free Library app accurate and up to date. Of the locations I visited, one library needed repair and had no books or door, while another no longer existed despite having already been reported through the app. More timely updates or removal of inactive locations would help volunteers avoid unnecessary travel and make their volunteer time more productive.
Overall, this was a meaningful experience, and with improved tracking and maintenance of library locations, I believe the volunteer experience could be even more positive and effective.
Visited 2 Little Free Libraries and distributed 24 books.
Sharing more literature with my community! I plan to add books every month. Such a great experience.
I met with a steward of a little free library and gave her 4 boxes of books to distribute throughout the little libraries. We took time to sort through the donated books and create an assortment of books for all ages and genres.
Visited 2 Little Free Libraries and distributed 28 books.
On 8/17/26, I donated 12 books to the Little Free Library in Knoxville, TN. I chose titles that were kid-friendly/seasonal/diverse genres and in like-new/good condition. The drop-off was simple. The libraries were in neighorhoods with mostly children’s book, so my donation helped add more variety. Overall, it was an easy way to share books and support neighborhood reading.
I expected donating to be a quick errand, but it made me think more about access and community sharing. When I opened the library, I noticed a lot of the same type of books, which made me realize that small donations can help balance what’s available. I also thought more carefully about choosing books that are welcoming—titles that are readable, age-appropriate, interesting. Afterward, I felt more connected to my neighborhood and motivated to donate regularly and more intentionally.
One thing that could make donating even easier is a small sign that lists “Most Needed” categories (e.g., children’s books, diverse authors, large print). When donors know what helps most, the collection stays more balanced and useful. If weather is an issue, adding a moisture absorber or reminding donors to bag books on rainy days could also protect the collection.
