Build Connections between Little Free Library and Independent Booksellers

As a part of our mission to build community and increase book access, we’ve begun connecting stewards with their local booksellers through the LFL-Friendly Bookseller’s Directory. A crucial piece of this project is to reach out and ask booksellers to offer benefits to stewards, such as discounts, book donations, or event space discounts for meetups. We need your help to share information with booksellers about how they can support their local LFL stewards!

How to get started: Sign up on our volunteer hub. If it's your first time volunteering with Team LFL, you will be asked to create an account in our volunteer hub. After you register, you will be instructed to compile a list of local booksellers you’d like to visit and submit it to us. After we receive your list, we will send you a packet of materials to distribute while you’re visiting the booksellers. 

Purpose: By helping connect Little Free Library stewards to local booksellers, you are helping to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access. 

Responsibilities:

• Visit local booksellers (5 minimum, but can visit as many as you'd like) to drop off information packet on the bookseller’s directory

  • Be polite and courteous when visiting the bookseller - wait in line to speak to a staff member, don’t be pushy, encourage them to review the information and contact LFL with any questions.

• Create a list of local booksellers that you plan to visit. 

  • Check the existing map to see which booksellers are already listed - you don’t need to go to any that are already listed!

  • Use booksellers’ associations (MIBA, CALIBA, etc.) to find booksellers near you (if you don’t already know them!)

• Visit bookstores, use the provided Excel template to record who you’ve visited, and submit sheet to us via Givepulse.

• As an incentive for completing this volunteer opportunity, you will be entered in a giveaway to receive a $50 gift card to the local bookseller of your choice.

  • Record your impact using Givepulse.

Time Required: A typical visit to a bookseller lasts about five to ten minutes, plus travel to and from, as well as time spent beforehand to research local booksellers. 

Training & Resources Available: We will help you get to know our organization and share tips to find local booksellers near you. 

Qualifications:

• Already a part of the Little Free Library network - either an LFL steward or Team LFL volunteer
• Love Little Free Libraries and supporting book access!
• Have access to transportation to visit local booksellers
• Organized
• Great communication skills
• Polite and friendly
• Live in the US