Since 2009, Little libraries have appeared all around the Champaign-Urbana area in order to provide its community with reading sources for trade. The ingenious design aims for accessibility to literature and community-building in an increasingly solitary world.
Champaign-Urbana has a strong communal spirit that provides its members plenty of ways to get engaged and feel like they are a part of something bigger. Little free library is one of those many niches, building posts that mimic small houses to host books. For over a decade, these little libraries have been enhancing access to reading materials. Around Chambana neighborhoods, people are welcome to take and leave books for the people after them.
One of the first trading stations was in Hudson, Wisconsin to the owner Todd Bol, this became very popular within his neighborhood and spread across the nation. By 2010–2012 little free libraries became less and less frequent. However, during covid it peaked back up due to no contact.
Eric Morganson and Cheryl Morganson, a couple in champaign with a particular interest in literature, expressed that after reading many different books they wanted an opportunity to share their collection. Instead of throwing older books away, Eric built a wooden book stand, and over time the stand was filled with more and more books. They both expressed they were pleased with how well it had done and that they were excited to read new books.
The key idea is to take a book of interest while leaving behind a book for someone else to read. This allows for people to expand their reading while not having to spend money on books. There are several trading posts like this spread throughout the Green St. area in Champaign as well as other locations in Champaign.
The key idea is to take a book of interest while leaving behind a book for someone else to read. This allows for people to expand their reading while not having to spend money on books. There are several trading posts like this spread throughout the Green St. area in Champaign as well as other locations in Champaign.
Another good way to gain access to reading materials is to utilize public libraries. The Chambana area has a great public library system. In Champaign there is the Douglas Branch library and the Champaign Public library while Urbana has the Urbana Free library. Each library has books for sale that range between $1 to $6. Sitting in the library can also be a peaceful way to wind down and read.
If going to a public library is not accessible, take a walk around the neighborhood and find a Trading post, or start a Little Free Library post and see what adventure awaits on the next page. Visit Smile Politely post to see a map of a little library near you!
