Todd Bol, man who started the Little Free Library movement, dies at 62

[Moondance]

Little Free Library is a Wisconsin based nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free neighborhood book exchanges. Founded in 2009, the movement involves volunteers, families, educators, businesses and organizations in the creation and support of activities that promote a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world.

 

https://littlefreelibrary.org/

 

Todd H. Bol, 1956-2018

We’re deeply saddened to report that our Founder, Todd H. Bol, passed away Thursday, October 18.

 

Todd spent much of the last decade working towards his vision of a world where neighbors know each other by name, and everyone has access to books. He was heartened by the network of more than 75,000 Little Free Library stewards around the world dedicated to literacy and community.

 

But Todd was more than just the creative force behind Little Free Library. He was a teacher, a lifelong entrepreneur, a father and a husband. He is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Allison and his son Austin, who said of Todd, “He was the best, most generous, goofy, and kind person. He taught us to be kind to others. To many he was an innovator and genuine change maker. To us, he was dad. We will miss him always.”

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/19/little-free-libraries-founder-todd-bol-dies/1696110002/

 

[Kenny]

Little Free Library is a Wisconsin based nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free neighborhood book exchanges. Founded in 2009, the movement involves volunteers, families, educators, businesses and organizations in the creation and support of activities that promote a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world.

 

https://littlefreelibrary.org/

 

Todd H. Bol, 1956-2018

We’re deeply saddened to report that our Founder, Todd H. Bol, passed away Thursday, October 18.

 

Todd spent much of the last decade working towards his vision of a world where neighbors know each other by name, and everyone has access to books. He was heartened by the network of more than 75,000 Little Free Library stewards around the world dedicated to literacy and community.

 

But Todd was more than just the creative force behind Little Free Library. He was a teacher, a lifelong entrepreneur, a father and a husband. He is survived by his wife Susan, his daughter Allison and his son Austin, who said of Todd, “He was the best, most generous, goofy, and kind person. He taught us to be kind to others. To many he was an innovator and genuine change maker. To us, he was dad. We will miss him always.”

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/10/19/little-free-libraries-founder-todd-bol-dies/1696110002/

 

[thickornotatall]

We have one on our street...I see the titles changing on a daily basis.

[rvwnsd]

I see them here and there in Phoenix, but in my former San Diego neighborhood they really took off. Some streets had two per block.

[+ quoththeraven]

They need to be viewed as supplements to libraries rather than substitutes. They're great for voracious readers who want or need to recycle or get rid of books they've already read without the hassle of selling them or using an exchange like Paperback Book Swap. They're not so great if they exist to replace libraries.

[mike carey]

There are a number of them around Canberra, talked up on ABC local radio. They fulfil very localised needs, but there is still a vibrant ACT Government library service that lends hardcopy and ebooks. As @quoththeraven says, having them as a local book exchange is good. But don't downplay the role of goodwill stores (Salvos, Vinnies) where you can buy paperbacks for fifty cents or a dollar and donate them back when you've read them. Now I think about it, I should do that more!

[+ Avalon]

Good idea! I've not been for several years. I like the 200s and 900s and those are not on their must buy list. They spend alot on DIY and magazines and papers. And on the children's section. They have ESL classes. But they are taught in the central reading area. Most annoying for the other patrons.

 

Some parents seem to use the library for babysitting.

 

The first thing one sees when entering are romance novels. But I was told that they were donated.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

We used to have a "new" bookstore here, part of a chain. It closed maybe 10 years ago. I was there once when management was visiting. They were being told how to organize their books. Put the romance novels up front.

[+ Avalon]

There are a number of them around Canberra, talked up on ABC local radio. They fulfil very localised needs,

 

That is on the soap "Neighbours". It's set in a suburb of Melbourne.