Little Free Libraries provide books around Oxford
Your next read doesn't have to come from a bookstore. Oxford is home to a dozen Little Free Library boxes where residents can take and leave books.
The Little Free Library program has been around since 2009 providing free and accessible books to the community. You can find your next read in a dozen of these little book boxes in Oxford — located everywhere from the Oxford Community Arts Center to the halls of Miami University and at several parks and homes.
According to the Little Free Library website, the goal of the program is to provide 24/7 book access, especially to areas in need. LFL also tries to provide a wide variety of authors, topics and genres. When you visit the box in front of the TRI Community Center, for example, you might find children’s books catered to preschoolers. Head to a box maintained by a resident, though, and you could find more adult reads.
Anyone in the community can sign up to be a Library Steward and start a library of their own. The national organization maintains a map of active locations, including those in and around Oxford.
Connie Malone, Graduate Student Services Director at Miami, says she took up the torch two years ago.
Malone’s free library sits outside of her office in Upham Hall. The shelves are painted bright Miami red and are overflowing with books. Malone’s office holds even more, her own bookshelf and book cart filled with books, ready to fill empty gaps in her library when someone takes a book.
“It's the most charming thing in the world,” Malone said.
Malone’s Library gets visitors of all ages, from students wandering the halls to children coming to Hefner Museum with their parents. She stocks everything from board books to memoirs, so there’s something for everyone.
Like all free libraries, patrons are encouraged to “take a book, leave a book,” but anyone is allowed to take books without donating.
Malone is happy to see her books go to people who want them, regardless of donation.
“I don't care if books ever come back,” Malone said. “I actually am happiest if they don't.”
Little Free Libraries maintains a map of libraries across the globe. Beyond the dozen in Oxford, the map shows several libraries in Darrtown, Somerville, Reily Township and the surrounding area.
