The worldwide free book exchange is just steps from your front door.

If you have never seen a Little Free Library, or heard of one before, it is a pretty incredible concept.

Anyone can build a Little Free Library and put it outside of their home or business. They are a bit bigger than a mailbox and hold books for all ages.

The only rule is if you take a book to read, please return it when you are done.

One of my niece's favorite activities is to visit the Little Free Library near my parent's house. My parents kept all of the books my siblings and I had when we were little. We now, in the spirit of the Little Free Library, bring a few books every time we visit. It's such a thrill for my niece to bring the books to the library and chose a book for her to read at the park.

Look at the smile on her face!

Little Free Library
Lori, Townsquare Media
loading...

Once we are finished with the book, we return it and talk about the story on our walk home. It's a fun afternoon for her and I.

Did you know that the closest Little Free Library to you is right around the corner? There are eight in total in Rockford and many more are popping up each day.

Here are the locations, according to LittleFreeLibrary.org, in Rockford. You can even search their interactive map on their website to find one near you.

Little Free Library Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...
  1. 511 North 2nd Street
  2. 618 Summit Street
  3. 312 N. Calvin Park Blvd.
  4. 325 Vale Ave.
  5. 220 Hemlock Lane
  6. 6761 Rote Road
  7. Near Jonquil Place and Ponedrosa Drive
  8. Near Pelham Road and Grenham Place

According to WREX, four new libraries have opened in the area as well! They were a collaboration between East High School's construction trade class and SwedishAmerican Foundation.

They are located in the 900 block of 15th Street in the Keith Creek Neighborhood, one at Beattie Playground at the 1500 block of Rural Street and one at the Strong Neighborhood House at 1233 Revell Avenue.

I hope you will visit a Little Free Library near you and help promote literacy and the love for reading.

 

More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5