How To Install a Little Free Library

A Little Free Library is an easy and fun way to share the joy of reading with your neighborhood and engage with your local community. With some basic tools and materials, you can set up your own Little Free Library in just a few hours (and even less time with some helping hands). This Old House host Kevin O’Connor and general contractor Tom Silva install a charming school bus-themed Little Free Library at Brookside Elementary School with the help of some eager students. 

Choose the Right Location For a Little Free Library

There are many factors to think about when deciding where to put your free library:

• Visibility: Choose a spot easily seen from the street or sidewalk.
• Accessibility: Make sure the library is at a height everyone can reach, particularly kids or people with mobility issues.
• Safety: Place the library far enough from the road to protect visitors from traffic.
• Regulations: Check local zoning laws and homeowners’ association rules before installation.
• Utility lines: Call your local utilities location service before digging to avoid hitting underground gas or other lines.

Prepare for Little Free Library Installation

Now that you’ve picked a spot, here’s what you’ll need to prepare the site and yourself for installation.

Materials Needed

You’ll need these materials to place the library. Be sure to get the right, quality materials for a strong and weather-proof construction:

• 4×4 pressure-treated post (5–6 feet long)
• Exterior grade 2-inch wood screws
• Gravel (two bags)
• MDO plywood
• Little Free Library structure (pre-built or DIY)

In the first part of this project, check out how the This Old House team builds a Free Little Library from scratch. 

Tools Required

• Bubble level
• Miter saw
• Post hole diggers
• Screw gun
• Spade shovel
• Tape measure

Prepare the Post For a Little Free Library

The post is the backbone of your Little Free Library. When assembling the post, pay special attention to the construction so the foundation is durable and withstands weather conditions and frequent use.

1. Use a miter saw to cut the 4×4 post to the desired length, typically 5–6 feet.
2. Cut two pieces of MDO plywood to fit underneath the library structure.
3. Center the plywood pieces over the post and attach them using the screw gun and wood screws.
4. Cut two 45-degree angle braces and attach them between the post and the underside of the plywood with wood screws for extra support.

Dig the Hole

Make sure the hole for the post is deep and wide enough for the base to fit securely without leaning or tipping over with the weight of the books.

1. Mark the spot where you want to install the library.
2. Use post-hole diggers to excavate a hole approximately 24 inches deep. At this depth, the library should be sturdy and children should be able to reach the books. 
3. Check that the post is completely upright and plumb using a level.

Safety First: Before breaking ground, call 811 or your local one-call center to have utility lines marked. As This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook cautions: “Never, ever dig without knowing what’s in the ground. I’ve seen people do some serious damage to themselves and their property.”

Pro Tip: A lot of people reach for a regular pointed shovel to dig a posthole, but as demonstrated on This Old House, once you start getting down deep with a shovel, you have to widen the hole way up at the top, making more work for yourself. Post-hole diggers are the better choice: drive them into the ground, open them up, and toss the soil to the side. Just be careful never to place your hands between the handles as you work.

Once the hole is dug, pour in 4 to 6 inches of pea-size gravel at the bottom to ensure water drains away from the post end. As recommended in This Old House Magazine, you can mix earth with the gravel to help hold it together as you tamp it down. In sandy soil that already drains well, use pack—a mix of stone dust and gravel—instead.

Install the Post

Now that you have created your base and prepared the hole, it’s time to put in the post. Follow these steps to make sure it’s firmly anchored:

1. Place the prepared post into the hole.
2. Use a bubble level to ensure the post is plumb (vertically straight) on all sides.
3. Adjust the post’s position until it’s level, both front-to-back and side-to-side.
4. Pour two bags of gravel around the post, pushing it down with the end of a shovel to make the base firm.
5. Backfill the remaining space with soil, compacting it as you go.

Pro Tip: This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook recommends using pack — a mix of three-quarter stone and stone dust — instead of plain gravel or soil for backfilling around the post: “It really firms up and it’ll hold this post in place, but more importantly, it drains. So there won’t be excess water up against the post and it won’t rot out.”

Attach the Library

With the post secure, you can attach the library safely to the top.

1. Carefully place the library on top of the post and plywood base.
2. From inside the library, drive wood screws through the bottom and into the post and braces below.
3. Double-check that the library is level and make any necessary adjustments so it’s stable.

Customize Your Library

Add a personal touch to your new free library to make a beloved space for your community.

Decorative Elements

Here are some simple ways to get creative with your installation. Get input and help from your neighbors or those who will use the library the most to make your design even more special.

• Paint and sealant: Use exterior-grade paint and sealant to protect the library from the elements and add a splash of color.
• Signage: Add a sign with the Little Free Library charter number and any specific instructions or dedications.
• Plant decor: Surround the library with plants, flowers, or a small garden for an inviting green space

Stock the Library

Fill up your library with various captivating stories to keep your local readers engaged and coming back for more.

1. Initial stocking: To get your library started, add a variety of books, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and more. You can source books from your personal collection or browse through a thrift store or used book shop. The Little Free Library organization also has rotating book giveaways that you can take advantage of.
2. Regular rotation: Rotate books periodically to keep the selection fresh and appealing.
3. Community contributions: Encourage your neighbors to contribute books to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Take Care of Your Little Free Library

Regular maintenance will keep your Little Free Library in good condition so it can serve your neighborhood successfully throughout every season.

• Damage checks: Regularly check for any damage or wear and repair as needed to keep the library structurally sound.
• Cleanliness: Keep the library clean and tidy to create a welcoming environment for visitors. Wipe the library down with a cloth to remove dust, and use warm soapy water for caked-on dirt and stains.
• Fix the decorations: Reseal and repaint any chipped or scratched spots.

Extend the Impact of Your Library

A Little Free Library can be more than a simple book exchange—it can become a community engagement and literacy hub, too. Here are a few ways to increase the value and reach of your Little Free Library.

Community Programs

Organize community events and programs that use the Little Free Library and focus on developing and inspiring budding and experienced readers of all ages:

• Reading circles: Host monthly reading circles for different age groups.
• Book swaps: Organize book swap events where community members can exchange books.
• Literacy workshops: Partner with local schools or libraries to host literacy workshops and events.

Involve Local Schools

Schools are the perfect place to engage young minds and get them involved with the Little Free Library project:

• Class projects: Encourage teachers to integrate the Little Free Library into class projects.
• Student Contributions: Invite students to add their favorite books and stories.
• Educational programs: Develop programs that use the library as a resource for learning and community service.

Getting Kids Involved: On the Atlanta Postmaster’s House project, young Alivia Sage designed her own mini postbox and lending library, combining a book-exchange section on top with a postcard drop below. Working with woodshop teacher Char Miller-King at Decatur Makers — a local community workshop — Alivia brought her prototype to life, proving that a Little Free Library project can be a powerful hands-on learning experience for children of all ages.

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