Settling in of a Little Free Library Steward
In the beginning, I overthought it. I joined a Facebook group. I over-curated the contents. I fumed when unethical book resellers emptied it out. Now I mostly just let it self-regulate.
That’s not entirely true. We live on a block with a lot of foot traffic, so the box needs frequent weeding. When well-meaning donors stuff it too full, I pull out half the contents and put them in our garage. (I make a trip to the Friends of the Library once a year and donate a carful of books that didn’t make the cut.) I recycle books no one wants (old textbooks are the main offenders here). I occasionally clean it with the hose when I’m out watering.
But eight years after our block community built and installed the library in front of our house (we’re squarely in the middle so it seemed like a good spot), I’ve eased into a fairly relaxed management style.
What do I like about the LFL?
There’s nothing better than when someone leave with a book, but it’s also nice seeing regulars just give it a brief once-over on their way to work, almost out of habit. (Not that I’m watching out our front window or anything.)
We have a bench opposite, and adult-child pairs sometimes sit and read books there. It’s adorable.
The same neighborhood unhoused man stops by every day, chooses a book and reads it for about half an hour, then goes on his way. I like that he sees this as a safe place. He’s quiet and friendly. We see him at other LFLs in the neighborhood, too. He nods hello when we pass him on the street. He’s a familiar fixture and I’d miss him if he stopped coming by.
It scratches an organizing and decluttering itch. It does feel satisfying to take all the books out, recycle duds, and distribute some to other LFLs in the neighborhood.
Most grand plans have fallen by the wayside. For example, I tried theme weeks—in the first year. I decorate it at the holidays, but minimally. I’d love to give it a succulent roof but haven’t yet. I do save up holiday books and put them out in December. I ordered a special stamp because I read that if you stamp every book that comes through (“Always free, never for sale”), you’ll cut down on book resellers taking the more valuable books to sell. (Yes, this happens.) I’ve never used it; it felt too fussy.
If I kept up with that amount of emotional investment, I’d have burnt out long ago. Instead, we just keep an inconsistent eye on the library, occasionally tossing religious flyers, ads, toys, or, frankly, anything that annoys me, and let it fulfill its nerdy mission—keeping books in circulation, celebrating reading, offering a pop of interest to passersby.
Outside the library world, here’s what’s been going on lately:
Audio-visual - What I’m watching
The Corfu memoirs by naturalist Gerald Durrell were some of my comfort reads when I was a young teen. Maybe my closeness to the books is why it’s taken me this long to watch the series based on their adventures, The Durrells in Corfu. I’m three episodes in and loving it so much! (It co-stars a young Callum Woodhouse, Tristan from All Creatures Great and Small. Just saying.)
We also watched the Oscars, complete with ballots and M&Ms (everyone got one M&M each time an award was announced, two if you chose the correct winner).
Checked out - What I’m reading
Just finished listening to the Ina Garten memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. Started The Life Impossible by Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library (which I have not yet read).
From the 641s - Cooking
We made a succulent carnitas for a burrito bowl dinner with Alex’s sister and her family, but forgot to take pics. Below left, this creamy herb-speckled pasta was a comfort food solo lunch. In the middle, I finally get why people post pics of their sourdough starter when it shows off! (The rubber band marks the spot where it started.)
Local interest - Neighborhood news
Our go-to easy walk with Piper is the AIDS Memorial Grove, woodsy spot in Golden Gate Park, thick with native oaks, bays, and redwoods. It’s such a pleasure to walk there. (There are so many of these quiet places in SF where you can be totally alone in nature, if you know where to find them!)
From the 910s - Travel
Housesat for my friend Maya’s mom in her delightful Sonoma home. It was so pretty up in wine country, I couldn’t. stop. taking. pictures.
New arrival shelf
I love all my mugs equally. Just kidding, I have favorites—like my rabbit mug, that I use most days. The middle photo shows new ones: I bought the little blue-and-white Danish-style cup at our local hardware store, and Cate made the two that flank it in her pottery class. On the right? Just more mugs. :)
