Welcome to the world’s largest book-sharing movement! Join us in:

Building Community
Sparking Creativity
Inspiring Readers

Marion’s Mark, in partnership with the Park Ridge Public Library, has generously agreed to sponsor Little Free Libraries around Park Ridge. 

What is a Little Free Library?

Little Free Library is a book exchange program whereby members of a community place a “library,” like the one pictured here, in their front yard, inviting neighbors to stop by and take a book of their choosing. 

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. There are more than 80,000 registered Little Free Libraries in all 50 states and over 90 countries. Through these Libraries, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. Little Free Library has received recognition from the Library of Congress, the National Book Foundation, Library Journal, the Women’s National Book Association, and more.

For more information on the Little Free Library program, visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/.

Can I still participate?

We are so excited that so many Library patrons applied to “host” a Little Free Library in their front yards.

Six Park Ridge residents from among 30 applicants were selected and libraries have been installed in their yards. These six were chosen based on their comments and their location within Park Ridge. Park Ridge is truly a city of readers, and we can’t wait to offer greater access to our collection through the Little Free Library program.

We will continue to assess the need to add more Little Free Libraries. 

For more details, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. For additional information, please email librarydirector@parkridgelibrary.org or call 847-825-3123 and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. 

Little Free Library Steward Agreement

Thank you for your commitment to hosting a Marion’s Mark/Park Ridge Public Library Little Free Library and supporting literacy in Park Ridge! Please read the following requirements and sign below.

As a steward of a Marion’s Mark/Park Ridge Public Library Little Free Library (LFL), you agree to the following:

• Provide land in a visible location close to sidewalk

• Keep LFL clean and free of debris

• Report damages or concerns to PRPL contact person, such as when your LFL:

  • needs more books
  • needs repairs or re-painting
  • needs replacement
  • ​needs removal

• Notify PRPL contact person should you move or need to update your contact information

As a steward of a Marion’s Mark/Park Ridge Public Library LFL, you are also encouraged to do the following:

• Contribute books and assess stock

• Choose siding and trim colors from samples provided by Marion’s Mark

The Park Ridge Public Library, or representatives of the Park Ridge Public Library, agree to the following:

• Provide and install painted Little Free Library

• Check on condition of your Little Free Library on a regular basis

• Maintain collections and add new materials as needed

• Make repairs as needed in a timely fashion

Please contact Library Director Joanna Bertucci at 847-825-3123  or librarydirector@parkridgelibrary.org, with questions or if any of the above items need to be addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use PRPL Little Free Libraries?

Anyone can use Little Free Libraries! No library card, proof of residency, or ID required. There are books for everyone!

How long can I keep PRPL Little Free Library materials?

Little Free Library materials can be kept for as long as readers need to finish the item.  If you take a book (or two) from a library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the library full of good choices, next time bring a few books to share. Little library book exchanges function on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always quality books inside.

How can I donate materials to PRPL Little Free Libraries?
Individual books, magazines, audiobooks, and other materials can be placed in the library. If you have more than a couple items, please bring them to the Park Ridge Public Library to be distributed to the libraries.

I want to do more! How can I help maintain PRPL Little Free Libraries?
The Park Ridge Public Library is looking for volunteers to help maintain the libraries on a monthly basis and organize books for delivery to the libraries. For more information, send an email to volunteer@prpl.org.

I saw a Little Free Library in Park Ridge that doesn’t have your logo on it. Are they affiliated with the Park Ridge Public Library?
There are privately maintained Little Free Libraries found throughout the city that are not affiliated with the Park Ridge Public Library.

May I return regular Park Ridge Public Library materials to a Little Free Library?
No. Regular library materials (i.e. materials with a Library spine label or barcode in it) must be returned to the Park Ridge Public Library to be checked in and circulated in the library collection.

My Little Free Library is empty or is damaged! Whom do I contact?
Please contact the Park Ridge Public Library at (847) 825-3123, and we will investigate.

What if someone places inappropriate books inside a PRPL Little Free Libraries?
Everyone who uses the library has the right of helping make sure the types of books in it are appropriate to neighbors of all ages and backgrounds. You are as capable as anyone else to remove a book, but we encourage you to be open-minded about it.  The Park Ridge Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement.  Censorship is not the answer but a balanced collection can be.

You can find more information on the Park Ridge Public Library at www.parkridgelibrary.org and Little Free Libraries at www.littlefreelibrary.org.