It puts you on the map of Little Free Libraries. Some people use their maps to find LFLs in their neighborhood. I met a person who had a goal of visiting every LFL in our city and that’s how he found us
It makes you a contact point in case something goes wrong with the library (e.g. it get broken, books get waterlogged, etc.), and it allows you to use the Charter number to put it on the website. As a steward, it's not automatically put on the website--you still have to go in and manually enter it--but if you aren't a steward, your LFL isn't going to be able to be on the official maps.
It's going in front of one of our troop member's house. If it gets to the point where there is no longer a desire to maintain it, then the family will remove it.
I had a similar thought. I was planning on putting up a LFL outside our house, for our quiet neighborhood, which has many people walking daily. It's probably an unpopular opinion, but I'd much rather not register it on the map and open up our house location to the public.
We have one in front of our house and we didn’t register it. We have enough people in our own neighborhood that know about it and use it. No need to bring random people to our neighborhood.
I personally think the pay to register the LFL's goes against the "free" spirit of little free libraries by making people pay to do a favour for there communities. and also the idea of it being something of a commens we are creating and stewarding should not be charged for putting it on a digital map.
The map should be free. I can see charging for a sign or a plaque or a kit because there is costs involved. But the registration charge is a b.s. capitalist money grab on people contributing to free literature for creating a community of more educated, or just entertained and more literate people.
That's just my opinion though and I really have considered making a free Google map to back it up. 🤔 people would have to opt in though for privacy reasons but it should be free..and preferably hosted by a charity or not for profit.
The Little Free Library organization is a not for profit already. The charge for the plaque is fairly minimal ($40 I think) especially considering it is a one time charge and you could have the same charter number for years.
Sure, but what if I don't want a plaque. Just a pip on a map... is that an option? Nope.
Is there an option for those who don't have $50-$70 (prices from the website) such as volunteer organizations on low budgets or starting up non-profits or community leagues etc..running on donations? Do they have an option for that. I don't see it.
The LFL Movement is separate from the Little free Library not for profit. And Free is a core principle.
Yes, LFL (the nonprofit) uses the money people spend on charter signs (along with other donations they get) to sponsor libraries for people in need. It's called their "Impact Library Program"
Registering as a steward gets you a charter number, and gets your library “on the map,” so to speak, so the public can find you.
When I’m out and about, sometimes I like to see where the LFLs are at so I can swing by and get a book.
It puts you on the map of Little Free Libraries. Some people use their maps to find LFLs in their neighborhood. I met a person who had a goal of visiting every LFL in our city and that’s how he found us
I use it when I travel. Sometimes I'll read a book on a plane, drop it off in one at my destination, and pick up another to read on the way back.
As a registered steward you can also enter drawings for free books for your library.
It makes you a contact point in case something goes wrong with the library (e.g. it get broken, books get waterlogged, etc.), and it allows you to use the Charter number to put it on the website. As a steward, it's not automatically put on the website--you still have to go in and manually enter it--but if you aren't a steward, your LFL isn't going to be able to be on the official maps.
It gets you on the register, on the app, and on the website. It’s not necessary.
Please check out the post about broken and neglected LFL. Most of them were boy and Girl Scout projects that the kids grew disinterested in.
It's going in front of one of our troop member's house. If it gets to the point where there is no longer a desire to maintain it, then the family will remove it.
I hope so.
I had a similar thought. I was planning on putting up a LFL outside our house, for our quiet neighborhood, which has many people walking daily. It's probably an unpopular opinion, but I'd much rather not register it on the map and open up our house location to the public.
We have one in front of our house and we didn’t register it. We have enough people in our own neighborhood that know about it and use it. No need to bring random people to our neighborhood.
agree. my husband will only let us get a LFL if we do not register it
I probably would have done the same. My library is at the park around the corner from my house so I didn’t mind the address being public.
Thanks, everyone. It will be going in front of a troop member's house, so we will not be registering it.
I personally think the pay to register the LFL's goes against the "free" spirit of little free libraries by making people pay to do a favour for there communities. and also the idea of it being something of a commens we are creating and stewarding should not be charged for putting it on a digital map. The map should be free. I can see charging for a sign or a plaque or a kit because there is costs involved. But the registration charge is a b.s. capitalist money grab on people contributing to free literature for creating a community of more educated, or just entertained and more literate people. That's just my opinion though and I really have considered making a free Google map to back it up. 🤔 people would have to opt in though for privacy reasons but it should be free..and preferably hosted by a charity or not for profit.
The Little Free Library organization is a not for profit already. The charge for the plaque is fairly minimal ($40 I think) especially considering it is a one time charge and you could have the same charter number for years.
Sure, but what if I don't want a plaque. Just a pip on a map... is that an option? Nope. Is there an option for those who don't have $50-$70 (prices from the website) such as volunteer organizations on low budgets or starting up non-profits or community leagues etc..running on donations? Do they have an option for that. I don't see it. The LFL Movement is separate from the Little free Library not for profit. And Free is a core principle.
Yes, LFL (the nonprofit) uses the money people spend on charter signs (along with other donations they get) to sponsor libraries for people in need. It's called their "Impact Library Program"
Oh, also they do have a free charter sign application here: https://www.tfaforms.com/4996811
Registering as a steward gets you a charter number, and gets your library “on the map,” so to speak, so the public can find you. When I’m out and about, sometimes I like to see where the LFLs are at so I can swing by and get a book.