These days more and more people want to be involved in projects, or feel a sense of community, with those around them.  With the progression of technology and the nearly instantaneous dissemination of information, many people are also now more motivated to continue to learn and grow into healthier and happier people. How then can we create a sense of connectedness and community in sharing and passing along information? Create lending libraries.

What Is A Lending Library?

According to the official Little Free Library:

It’s a “take a book, return a book” gathering place where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic form, a Little Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share.

Lending libraries are springing into existence all around the world as a means to foster creativity, cooperation, knowledge and understanding among all. Simply put, a lending library is an ever-evolving collection of books, letters, pamphlets or any other resource where people are encouraged to take a book and either keep, return or replace it with another, ensuring a free flow of inherited information, wisdom and inspiration throughout the community.

Where Can I Find A Lending Library?

Popular locations for lending libraries include front yards, businesses, gardens, community centers, school yards and many other areas. Mary Crooks Kirkpatrick, an Iowa City, Iowa resident, has set up two lending libraries in recent months. One is located in her front yard and the other is in a nearby garden. She says, “lending libraries help the community by making books (and other resources) available to people who might otherwise not have access to them. They can offer a wide range of reading materials that expand the minds and hearts of those who take advantage of the opportunity.”

Our Lending Library

As the age of information continues to unfold, the creation of lending libraries is sure to become a well-known and celebrated phenomenon. A lending library was set up at the Rost Motor Company in March of 2014. Now that one lending library has been established in this already tightly-knit community in northwest Iowa, it is safe to say others will soon begin to join this organically growing movement.

Thanks to all those Seen and Unseen that helped make this happen:

Heath Rost, Ulonda Faye Mills, Linda Schuttler, Barb Peterson, Lance Schuttler, Mary Crooks Kirkpatrick, Blair Frank and Anthony Bradley at Rost Motor.