Little Lending Library

Little Free Library The Little Free Library in Silver Spring, Md., was built more than a year ago by Ursula Oaks, her husband, Craig, and their 8-year-old son Liam. It is close to a school bus stop and Liam says his friends often swing by the library on their way home.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Liam Oaks Eight-year-old Liam Oaks looks through the Silver Spring Little Free Library selection with his mother, Ursula Oaks. The family installed their library more than a year ago just outside their home.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Little Free Library in Silver Springs, Md. Ursula Oaks says her family enjoyed constructing the library so much that they added lots of detail to their "Madeline" themed library, including a "brick" chimney, rain gutter and painted vines.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Liam Oaks Liam's favorite find from his Little Free Library is a Japanese story called "Crow Boy," about an unpopular kid who wins over his classmates by showing off his unique talent.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Little Free Library in Cleveland Park Linda Greensfelder says people like her library because "it's kind of like a fairy house."

"It's this little house, and it has a door and the mystery is you can peek inside and then there's this sign outside that says 'If you like something, it's free. You can take it. It's yours.' It's a gift."

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Linda Greensfelder Linda Greensfelder says local writers like Rachel Cox and Susan Ruff have donated their own books to the Newark Street Little Free Library.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Backstock from Cleveland Park free library Linda Greensfelder put a message on her library's Facebook page asking for more children's book because the first crop went so quickly. Her neighbors obliged, and now she has a backstock that she keeps inside her home.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Renee Adams Renee Adams worked for the Library of Congress for 35 years. Her free library is dedicated to her father, who passed on his love of learning and reading to Adams and her two sons.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Little Free Library in Del Ray Renee Adams started her free library in Del Ray, Va., in April. She keeps about 20 to 30 books inside the small house, which is located on the corner of Windsor and Dewitt.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Little Free Library in Del Ray "One of the nicest things for me about sharing this little library with neighbors is how many of them now wave to me from their cars as they drive by or tell me they love what I'm doing with all of it," Renee Adams says.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Little Free Library in Del Ray

Free Snacks In addition to her Little Free Library, Renee Adams also offers free fast food in the form of cherry tomatoes. Those are located next to the library, located at 221 E Windsor Ave. in Alexandria, Va.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Poetry Fence Renee Adams' poetry fence is also a big draw for neighbors. She posts her own poetry or finds famous poems to share. People often leave her notes and sometimes even leave their own. Adams says one man read a poem from the fence at his mother's funeral.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano