Five things to do at the Little Free Library Festival
This Saturday is the first-ever Little Free Library Festival, and contrary to the stature of its namesake structures, it's going to be big.
The Little Free Library movement started in 2010 in Hudson, Wis., when Todd Bol installed a small lending library at the end of his driveway. The concept was simple: Take a book, leave a book. He never intended to build more than one, but six years later, there are more than 36,000 Little Free Libraries scattered around the globe.
Neighborhoods and communities have adapted the idea and made it their own. The Minneapolis Police Department built their own libraries to install inside precincts. The White House even invited Bol to visit later this summer and share the impact of the libraries.
The global response, too, has been overwhelming: Bol said there are plans to build more than 100,000 of the little libraries in the Philippines in the next five years. More than 70 countries already have them.
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That gives the Little Free Library team plenty to celebrate. This weekend's festivities, which will be held at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, has a full lineup of literary and library-related activities. Below is just a taste.
Five things to do at the Little Free Library Festival
1) Help build 100 libraries
Thanks to the help of volunteers, the Little Free Library organization is hoping to build 100 new libraries over the course of the day. The finished libraries will be installed in communities all across the country. If you're handy with power tools or woodworking, you can sign up for a shift.
2) Dress your dog as your favorite literary character
Break out the costume box and dress your dog as your favorite author or character for the Canine Costume Contest and parade. There will be three prizes: Most Literary, Most Creative, and Most Elaborate.
If you're stuck for ideas, here's a few: Virginia Woof, Sir Arthur Canine Doyle, F. Scott Fetch-gerald, Harry Paw-ter...
3) Prove your Harry Potter prowess
How well do you know Hogwarts? There will be an interactive game for Potter nuts, including a trivia challenge, spell-casting and even a friendly game of Quidditch.
4) Get a free haircut — in exchange for a story
Iowa barber Courtney Holmes made headlines last year when he started offering a deal: He would give kids a free haircut if they read him a book. Holmes will be on hand at the festival, along with other barbers, offering haircuts to kids if they read a story out loud.
5) Participate in National Readathon Day
Saturday also happens to be National Readathon Day, so bring a good book or find one at the festival's Book Sharing Table and settle in the park for a good story.