Help build a free Little Library for our Community

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to start something small that I hope will have a big impact and I need your help to make it happen! I’m raising money to create a free Little Library in our local community of Haughton Green in Tameside. I’ve lived in the area for around 15 years and as someone who is passionate about books, I really want to do this for the community.

I was lucky enough to grow up with access to book through my parent’s bookshop and have always loved reading. I’m passionate about others having access to books and their life changing benefits. Our nearest libraries were closed several years ago and have been replaced by smaller library facilities in town halls. People don’t always have the time, transport, ability or money to access books in these locations and a free library would bring books to people’s doorsteps giving them cost free access, 24/7.

A Little Library would look wonderful on our green creating a talking / meeting place that could help build / initiate relationships and reduce isolation. It could become a place that encourages reading, sharing, connection and conversation among local residents of all ages, bringing people together. We have a small book club, and this and other local groups could grow as the community network expands.

The vision is simple: build a little library book exchange where anyone in the community can take a book or leave a book. It will be a welcoming space, a place for people in the community, for people of all ages to discover (or re-discover) their love of reading, and all completely free. A place where children can discover their next favourite story, adults can swap novels or cookbooks, and people can connect through the simple joy of reading and sharing books.

I ‘ve already found the perfect spot on our local green and have a great design for a Little Library in mind. What I need now is help to bring it to life.

I’m aiming to raise £2,500, and everything raised will go directly into creating and maintaining the library. Once it’s built, it will be a permanent, accessible fixture for the entire community to enjoy, and a reminder of what a community can do when it comes together.

What your donation will help fund:

• Materials to build and paint the Little Library

• Weatherproofing

• Delivery

• A starter collection of books for all ages (children, teens, adults)

The Plan:

My goal is to have a long lasting and beautifully designed little library in a central, accessible area of our community, that’s always open and free for all. It will be maintained regularly to keep it clean, safe, and well-stocked.

Why this matters:

I believe that books should be available to everyone no matter their age, background, or income. This small library will be open 24/7 to everyone in the community — no library card needed, no late fees, just the joy of reading and sharing.

A free book exchange is more than just a box of books, it’s a way to:

• Encourage reading for all and promotes literacy and lifelong learning

• Make books more accessible to everyone

• Encourage children to read at home

• Build a sense of community through sharing

• Bring community together, creates connections, community ownership and pride

• Create a gathering spot for connection and conversation

• Promote sharing, learning and kindness

• Give gently-used books a second life and support sustainability through sharing and reusing books

• Add shared community assets to our local area

I believe that books can bring people together and a free Little Library will be a long-lasting addition to our community that can grow and evolve with all of us.

Even a small donation goes a long way and if you can’t give right now, sharing this campaign with your friends, colleagues and neighbours would mean the world. Every donation helps move closer to making this idea a reality.

If you believe in the power of books to change lives and in the importance of community spaces that bring people together, I would be so grateful for your help. Whether you give £5 or £50, your support will make a difference. And even if you can’t donate, spreading the word is just as valuable.

Please consider donating or sharing this campaign with others who might want to help. Together, we can build something meaningful that will serve and inspire our community for years to come. Once built, this little library will belong to everyone — and I can’t wait to see it grow with your help!

Thank you for helping, for taking the time to read this, and for being a part of this story.

Sam

Local Community Member & Book Lover

#bepartofthestory

You can follow the journey by joining the Little Library Facebook Group:

Facebook - Haughton Green Little Library