Touring Everett’s Little Free Libraries
I’m interested in Little Free Libraries (LFLs) for a couple of reasons. First, it is almost my birthday and I’ve been asking for my own little library for a couple of years now. I’m feeling pretty hopeful this year so keep your fingers crossed for me.
If you don’t know, LFSs are neighborhood book exchanges intended to inspire a love of reading and build community. I’m all about those things. You can learn more about LFLs on the official website.
The second reason is that knowing how important reading is for children, with schools and libraries closed and tight budgets, I worry about kids not having enough books to read. I run the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association and wanted to know if LFLs were a good source for kids books so I could refer neighborhood families to them.
I pulled up the LFL Map where library owners register their location and decided to check out some of the LFLs around Everett to see what was out there. I was curious to see what they offered and also to see what my “competition” looks like. Here is what I found:
Charter #34472
801 Wetmore Ave.
Everett, WA 98201
I have to admit that I was a little disappointed by this first library on my tour at Everett Community College, but then I remembered everyone is working remotely these days and stocking the LFL is probably not top of mind. There were a few kids books and some VHS movies. Props for international bestseller Cutting for Stone.
Charter #42353
1603 Grand Ave
Everett, WA 98201
There weren’t any kids books in this LFL and not a big selection, but it had Into the Water by the same author who wrote The Girl on the Train so that would probably be a solid pick.
Charter #67853
2309 Rucker Ave
Everett, WA 98201
Are those Everett Improv flyers? The selection was small and there weren’t any kids books, but I understand there are more books at the LFL in front of Everett Improv located in the Sno-Isle Food Coop.
Charter #40016
4908 Rucker Ave
Everett, WA 98203
After driving through Riverside and discovering that two registered libraries weren’t there, I almost gave up looking for this one in Glacier View. Luckily I got out of my car and walked, because there it was, full of books! There were lots of kids books, including Harry Potter!
Charter #16106
4311 Olympic Blvd
Everett, WA 98203
Located across the street from Howarth Park play area, this LFL location must be popular because there were two libraries. Both libraries were full and there were some kids books including a Magic Treehouse book and a few board books. I didn’t recognize many of the titles, but I’m sure I could have found something to read. There were several Readers Digest books and there is always something for everyone in those.
Charter #102824
9801 33rd Drive SE
Everett, WA 98208
This organized library in the Silver Lake area was set up with a fiction and non-fiction section (I’ll be stealing that idea). There weren’t any kids books, but Kitchen Confidential is excellent as is anything by Anthony Doerr.
Charter #38707
3728 98th ST SE
Everett, WA 98203
This library in a wooded cul-de-sac is within walking distance of the 33rd Drive library. It had a small selection, but there were several kids books as well as A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson which is a pretty good read.
Here are my takeaways from my LFL tour:
First of all, the LFLs were adorable. All of the styles were fun and I’d take any of them.
I like the two shelf libraries to have space for organizing books. I’d probably put the kids books on the bottom and adult books on top.
LFL’s are not a great source for kids books, but we can all help with that by donating to them. Consider donating contemporary books because most kids will prefer Harry Potter to Nancy Drew.
Some of the libraries registered on the LFL map are not in existence anymore.
Many areas of the city don’t have LFLs. I hope more people will consider getting one.
LFLs are a great way to find something you might not ordinarily read.
A Little Free Library would look wonderful under my crabapple tree.
While checking out all of the Little Free Libraries was fun, it is hit or miss if you can find anything for your kids to read. You can always count on free books at Everett Public Library. Give them a call or request books online then stop by for curbside pick up. You can also Fill out a request for a stack of books specially curated for you or your kids.
Know of a Little Free Library in Everett not listed above? Comment below and share the love. Happy reading!
Find more Little Free Libraries here.
Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.
