The Little Free Libraries around Statesville - Find a book, leave a book

Library at Grace Baptist ChurchPhoto byKim McKinney

“We read to know we are not alone.” – C.S. Lewis

While I am a huge fan of the Iredell County libraries, there are more options placed around town where you can find free books at any hour of the day or night.

In 2009 Todd H. Bol created a little free library to honor the memory of his mother. His idea spread and today many more Little Free Libraries are being built.

Library at the Bentley Center PlaygroundPhoto byKim McKinney

The nonprofit organization, out of St. Paul, Minnesota, now boasts more than 150,000 registered libraries around the world, in all 50 states and 120 countries. The goal is that each community in the world have 24/7 access to books.

The basic concept is "take a book, share a book" - but you don't necessarily need to do both. Many do, so they can help support the library going forward. The books are free for the taking and also a great place for you to share books you have already read.

What kind of books will you find at a little library? About anything you can think of! There are typically books for both children and adults. Once you pick up the book, it's yours. It's nice to recycle it back into a Little Free Library in the future, but not necessary.

Library at Caldwell ParkPhoto byKim McKinney

You may have seen these boxes around town, but just in case you have not, here's where you will find them in the Statesville area.

* Pecan Park - Ashtin Gill - 134 N. Center St., Statesville

* R.O.A.D. to Literacy - Boys & Girl's Club - 1001 Cochran St., Statesville

* The Hunny Bunny Children's Library - 240 N. Mulberry St., Statesville

* Bentley Center playground - 324 Wilmington Ave., Statesville

* ICPYC - R.O.A.D. to Literacy - 734 Salisbury Rd.

* Trinity Episcopal Church playground - Charlotte Mullis - 801 Henkel Rd.

* Grace Baptist Church - In honor of Clara Rogers - 719 Club Dr.

* Carli's Library - In Memory of Carli - 625 East Broad St.

* Garfield Park - 409 Garfield St.

* R.O.A.D. to Literacy and FBC - 815 Davie Ave.

* Linda Long (in memory) - 1250 Northside Dr.

* Little Free Library - 909 Sherwood Lane

* Statesville Fitness & Activity Center - 1875 Simonton Rd.

* Little Free Library - Lion's Club Centennial Legacy Project - S. Main St. - Troutman

* Chestnut Grove Community Center - 223 Chestnut Grove Rd.

* Friends of Lake Norman State Park - Lake Norman State Park Family Camp - Troutman

*Iredell Charter Academy Little Free Library - 251 Home Improvement. Troutman

On North MulberryPhoto byKim McKinney

These are the current libraries registered with the Little Free Libraries. Do you know of more? Let us know where it is in the comments.

If you want a map of all libraries, or to be able find them in other areas, you can check out their website doe, of course, there is an app for that!

If you’re interested in starting a Little Free Library in your community, you can find more information here. (It looks as though the northern part of the county could use a few.)