Little Free Library is a global, grassroots movement of community-based book exchanges. People build miniature libraries (using recycled materials) and an honesty system allows people to borrow from the library and in turn donate their pre-loved books. They’re otherwise known as Street Libraries.
Little Free Libraries promote literacy and the love of reading and help to build a sense of community. I love the feeling of discovery – suddenly stumbling across a Little Free Library where every book is a potential source of inspiration!
Melbourne has many Little Free Library book exchanges. They spring up in front yards, on bike paths and at train stations. Here’s a list of where to find them and other book swaps.
Little Free Libraries in MELBOURNE CBD
- Melbourne Central, Level 2 Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston Street, Melbourne
- The Moat, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
- Knowledge Market, 892 Victoria Street, Docklands
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near The Moat, Melbourne
Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s NORTH / NORTH-EAST
- 10 Bowmore Ave, Park Orchards
- 901 Main Road, Hurstbridge
- South Crescent Westgarth
- 159a Smith St Thornbury
- Rossmoyne St, Thornbury
- 62 Kendall St, Preston
- 173 Edward St Brunswick
- 28 Pearl St Northcote
- Upfield bicycle path, Coburg
- Dawson St Brunswick
- cnr Aberdeen Rd and Birdwood Ave Macleod
- Birdwood Ave Macleod
- Inside Barkly Square shopping centre
- Inside Diamond Village Shopping Centre, 78 Nepean St. Watsonia
Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
- Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park
- Brighton Primary School
- Balston Street Balaclava (says Carlisle St but actually around the corner on Balston St)
- Garden City, Port Melbourne
- Rosny St Port Melbourne
- Cowderoy Park St Kilda East
- Station Pier Port Melbourne
- Murchison Street, Alma Road Community House
- 87 Tennyson Street, Elwood
- Milton Street, Elwood
- George Walter’s Garden (corner of Crockford and Raglan Streets), Olive’s Corner, Station Pier, Cruikshank Street, 58A Albert St, Port Melbourne
- Veg Out Community Gardens St Kilda
- Jacoby Reserve, St Kilda West
Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s EAST
- 13 Kent Street, Hawthorn
- 2 Florence Street, Blackburn
Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s WEST
This list has been partly compiled by Kel Devoil at Melbourne Minor, a parent and carer’s guide to art, culture and quirky in Melbourne.
- 41 Lynch St Footscray
- 78 St Leonards Rd, Ascot Vale
- 5 Hobbs St Seddon
- Bellair St Seddon (opposite train station)
- Hotham St Seddon
- Seventh Ave Altona North
- 117 Mason St, Newport
- Somerville Rd Yarraville
- Cnr Hansen Rd and Nesnah St West Footscray
- Pin Oak Crescent Flemington
- Kingsville St Kingsville
- Goulburn St Yarraville
- on the corner of Keilor Road and Bradshaw street, Essendon
- 83 Elphin St Newport
Last but not least I run the Book Swap Bike, a community book swapping event where everything comes out of a cargo bike!
Let me know at joyce@tothotornot.com if there’s a Little Free Library near you that’s missing from the list.
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