An Ode to Little Free Libraries

Whether you’re looking for yourself, cleaning out old books, wanting to connect with your neighbors, or encouraging younger readers to get excited about reading, never underestimate the quiet power of these little structures.  

By Jane Clark  »  Photo by Madalyn Cox

Across Wilmington, small wooden boxes filled with paperbacks and picture books have become joyful emblems of community spirit. Whether you stumble upon one in a neighborhood front yard or along a park trail, these Little Free Libraries invite you to “take a book, leave a book” — a simple exchange that strengthens community connection. They’re also nice to look at.

In the last decade, Parks and Gardens has partnered with the New Hanover County Library to expand that spirit through a program called Park Pages, Wilmington’s own network of Little Free Libraries. You can find them in parks like Arrowhead, Kings Grant, Long Leaf, Northern Regional, Ogden, Smith Creek Park, and Pages Creek Park Preserve. Each Park Pages station is part of the global Little Free Library movement, whose mission is “to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations.” 

These little libraries also bridge a quiet but important gap, bringing books to people who might not otherwise make it to a library. Maybe it’s a parent juggling work and childcare, someone without easy transportation, or a kid who just happens to spot a colorful box on the walk home. The beauty of these free book exchanges is their accessibility: they’re open 24/7, require no library card, and welcome everyone. 

Of course, some boxes are homegrown projects and not officially registered with the Little Free Library nonprofit, which now includes a network of more than 200,000 libraries worldwide. Registering comes with perks—your library gets listed on the official world map, making it easier for readers near and far to find. The organization also provides a step-by-step guide at littlefreelibrary.org to help you build or purchase your own. The best part? You can make it uniquely Wilmington with personal touches like shells, coastal colors, or hand-painted quotes.

Whether you’re looking for yourself, cleaning out old books, wanting to connect with your neighbors, or encouraging younger readers to get excited about reading, never underestimate the quiet power of these little structures.