France - USA : trompeuse ressemblance: Little Free Library

Do you know "Little Free Library" or LFL concept? These are small boxes which look like birdhouses where are stored self-service books, anywhere in the city. The first time I saw (several) LFL, it was in 2014 in Baltimore. You can pick up one or more books, take as much time as you want to read them and take them back (or not). The boxes have usually very creative design and each one is different.

The idea is great and you can find more details on their website. These small libraries work mainly thanks to volunteers called "stewards". They build their own box or purchase one of those for sale by the central management, fill them with books and refill them with new items regularly. Most boxes are installed on public roads but some are in the stewards’ private properties!

Although the idea is great, I quickly started thinking about these two issues: First, what is the point of installing a free little library in a big city like Baltimore, where 23 free public libraries and hundreds of thousands of books are available? Then I wondered what percentage of books people return? Actually I think about this other new idea which spread a couple of years ago in big cities (including Paris and other big French cities): the idea was to drop a book you loved in public places (parks, stations, public benches, etc.) to let other people have a chance to benefit from your favorite book. I do not know how long this lasted (especially in France) but I think it quite quickly decreased and nowadays it is completely over.

However according to LFL website there are many benefits from the concept including:

- Unlike public libraries, "They don’t require library cards or late fines, don’t insist that patrons whisper or stay quiet, and don’t mind if you do not return a book"

- "People meet more neighbors and passers-by than they have in years"

- "Small, local business owners report that Little Free Libraries help them attract and keep customers"

- "Realtors have said that Libraries (big and small) have influenced potential home buyers to decide to settle on one neighborhood rather than another"

- "Large metropolitan library systems as well as state and national associations have endorsed Little Free Libraries as effective outreach strategies. They often hold “building days,” tours and book sales to support their smaller counterparts in neighborhoods and rural communities."

- Finally, the site claims that people "like giving as much as –or perhaps even more than—taking books."

Even if I have some doubts about the fact that the presence of a LFL in the neighborhood really makes the difference in selling a property, the other arguments seem reasonable and make sense.

Beside according to the website, their initiative is more and more successful, and there are now 40,000 LFL across the United States and in 70 other countries. They also announce their goal to reach 100,000 LFL before the end of 2017. Note that according to the website there are 4 LFL in France: one at Beaumont (in the south of Clermont-Ferrand), one at Meilhaud (in the same area), one at Saint-Benoît-la-Forêt (in the south of Chinon) and one at Rivière (in the same area).

But beyond this concept I think we can find here several aspects of American life and culture:

In the United States we had the feeling that there were multiple answers and offers for every single need: it is true for "consumerist" needs (eg there are lots of clothing stores with very aggressive deals) as well as for services (eg a variety of family friendly entertainment offerings throughout the year). And it works because the more you have choice, the better.

The importance of volunteering for the local community well-being in the US is well known. Everyone is supposed to offer some time and / or money for the benefit of the collective. Volunteering is a third track beside statism (predominant in France) and individualism. These 40,000 LFL (the majority of which are located in the US) run primarily on stewards’ voluntary investment.

- The importance of local life

In a country with a territory as huge as the US, the local community is more than important. Whereas in France the ambition of equality brings us to centralize everything (how to ensure that everyone has the same rights and duties, if the rules are not standardized and do not come from above?), in the United States each and every community is partly responsible for his welfare. Each community has to find his own living together. This is why, paradoxically, the local community is more important in the US than in France.

Even if LFL is a non-profit organization the company works and thrives thanks to basic business rules and emphasizes in particular on marketing. Take a look at the "pressresources" section on the website. It is very comprehensive and gives some excellent arguments in favor of the concept. It’s quite normal since LFL has dedicated teams (about 20 people as mentioned on the website) which some implement such a strong marketing organization.

Two years ago when I went out of curiosity on their website, I signed up for their newsletter. And it is worth it! The newsletter is weekly and covers issues as diverse as "Should we ban some books categories? What if violent books are deposited in your LFL?", "Should we let the romance novels?", or more recently "What if your LFL is listed by Pokemon Go? Pros and Cons"(supplemented with Pokemon Go dedicated online form for the stewards who wish to ask for the withdrawal of their LFL from the game!)

LFL organization relies both on volunteers and on money from the private business. This is another characteristic feature of the United States: money from the private sector is welcome in charities, and it looks like it is always possible to find private sponsors willing to contribute to the collective well-being. This is another aspect of the ubiquity of volunteering, next to the intervention of the state (federal or mostly local). And the LFL website confirms: "Local and national organizations and corporations increasingly see Little Free Libraries as good investments to demonstrate corporate social responsibility and do their part for their constituents, neighbors and customers."