Riot Headline The Best Books of 2024
News

Video: Introducing the Little Free Library Song!

Margret Aldrich

Staff Writer

Margret Aldrich is a writer and recovering book editor who has worked with authors from American Indian activist Winona LaDuke to punk-rock guitar legend Cheetah Chrome. (They were equally intense and equally fantastic.) She is also a former editor, blogger, and librarian at Utne Reader, a magazine celebrating the best of the alternative press. Based in Minneapolis, Margret is a devoted Little Free Library owner who wonders what to do when a Sarah Palin biography shows up in one's LFL. Her book about Little Free Libraries—and how they spark community, literacy, and creativity around the world—came out from Coffee House Press in April. Twitter: mmaldrich

Little Free LibraryWhenever I come across a Little Free Library, it makes me want to smile. Or cheer. Or even break into song. Who can blame me? These friendly neighborhood book exchanges—which now number 40,000 around the world—are spreading a love of reading, community, and creativity one shared book at a time.

Now, there actually is an official song to celebrate Little Free Libraries. And it’s just as upbeat and warmhearted as the movement itself.

The nonprofit organization behind Little Free Libraries recently unveiled the tune with a video recapping the first-ever Little Free Library Festival, which took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 21. There, eight thousand people gathered to build 104 Libraries, as well as enjoy a giant book swap, a literary canine parade, free haircuts for kids who read to barbers, Harry Potter trivia, storytelling, music, food, and more.

Couldn’t make it to the festival? No worries. You can watch highlights here, and be one of the first to listen to “The Little Free Library Song,” written and performed by Reed Grimm:

Read the lyrics below, and learn more at littlefreelibrary.org.

The Little Free Library Song

There ain’t nothing people love like when we get together
And we give and receive all the gifts that we’ve been shown.
When we find a new way, you know that there ain’t nothing better
And we begin to see something better than we’ve ever known.

There’s an opportunity in your community
It’s called a Little Free Library
You don’t know what you’ll find that might open your mind
At the Little Free Library
These little boxes of books . . . come take a look.

You can see them on the street in the busy of the city
Or in front of a school in the middle of your hometown.
In any neighborhood, you can know that there is something good
Whenever you see one of these Little Libraries around.

It doesn’t matter your age, just open up and turn the page
At the Little Free Library
You don’t know what you’ll find that might open your mind
At the Little Free Library
These little boxes of books . . .

Well, there ain’t no library cards to use
There’s no late fees, we’ve got nothing to lose.
Just give what you can and take one to read
It’s amazing how life gives us just what we need.
Life gives us just what we need.

We’re just sharing what we know, and it’s helping everyone grow
At the Little Free Library
You don’t know what you’ll find that might open your mind
At the Little Free Library
Well, now that you know, come on, let’s go
To a Little Free Library
There’s one that’s not too far, no matter where you are
Let’s find a Little Free Library
These little boxes of books . . . come take a look.