Largest micro-library network

- Who
- Little Free Libraries
- What
- 175,000 total number
- Where
- United States
- When
- 2024
The largest network of micro-libraries is the one associated with Little Free Libraries, a US non-profit founded by Rick Brooks and Todd Bol in Hudson, Wisconsin, in 2010. As of 2024, there are more than 175,000 take-a-book, leave-a-book libraries registered with the group in 121 countries around the world.
The concept of the community bookshelf or public bookcase emerged independently in a few different places around the world in the 1990s. These consist of publicly accessible storage cases where members of the public can borrow books and leave books of their own.
The first registered Little Free Library was set up by American teacher Todd Bol in Hudson, Wisconsin, USA, in 2009. He made a microwave-sized model of a traditional one-room schoolhouse and mounted it on a post in his front yard. Inside was a small collection of books that neighbors were encouraged to share.