Todd Bol, Creator of Little Free Library Movement, Dies at 62

I loved walking by the little library in Bklyn while on the way to the park with the dog. Instead of leaving a well loved book on my stoop- I left it there. Thank you for bringing literacy in the most unassuming places across this world.

There are even some Little Free Libraries on the Appalachian Trail! Rest in Peace Mr Bol.

My brother has one in his yard in Kansas City. It is a wonderful addition to both his landscape and community.

Here on Capitol Hill, there are several in my neighborhood. Never knew where they originated; but now I do. Thank you Mr. Bol for honoring your mom in this generous way. I hope his family finds comfort in the comments and appreciations here.

A great story. Amazing people make small gestures that turn into great things, such as this. There's a Little Free Library a block from where I live, but I never knew the story till now; I try to leave a book there as often as I can. Sometimes it's full of books, other times quite low, but fills again. One of the great gifts is just imagining people who find this treasure, the thrill they get of exploring new stories and ideas.

Liber scriptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur... There are many in Dunedin, NZ, where they are known as Lilliput Libraries.

In my neighborhood, they were routinely vandalized but kept indomitably popping back up. Some survived and the vandals lost interest. In take and give books with gratitude. Now I know who to thank.

Thank goodness for his creative contribution that lets us all share books! My favorite one is one that is in a tiny park called George Rogers Clark Park in Covington, KY. The little library looks like a steamboat and is filled with books! When you take a book remember, it all started with a man who wanted to remember his mother and share her books! Individuals and their actions make a difference!

Currently in France, but home is Madison, WI, where we just adore our (many) Little Free Libraries. Thank you, Mr. Bol.

Bless you, Mr. Bol. You have added to our cultural community and to the peaceful give and take between people

Mr. Bol-thank you for this great contribution to society. RIP

From Shakespeare: “Me, poor man, my library / Was dukedom enough.” - Prospero, Act I, Scene II, in ‘The Tempest’ “A beggar’s book / Out-worth’s a noble’s blood.” - Buck, Act I, Scene II, in ‘King Henry VIII’ Mr. Bol has left a legacy that will touch untold numbers of people around the world. His life was therefore a gift to all those people.

Amazing work! You left this planet to early.

I love these little libraries and often wondered where they originated. Thank you Todd Bol, for the lift they have given so many wherever they appear, for the whimsy, and the value placed on books and sharing.

Sad, and he will be missed. But the Little Library will continue. Thank you for this gift.

There's one not far from me here in London. I was delighted to discover it one afternoon while walking the dog. Lovely to discover both the origin of the idea and that it has spread so widely. My best wishes to Mr. Bol's family - and a pause to celebrate their mother. My mom was also a schoolteacher. She taught first grade, loved books and children & knew that if you put the two together you could change the world.

I love the idea. On a larger scale, there is the El Cerito free library at the El Cerito recycling center. It's several book cases under shelter where you can give or take as many books as you want without any checkout or any other administrative necessity. If they get too many books, they recycle them as paper scrap. Years ago, I heard that the Peace Corps Volunteers in Belize needed library books, so I started sending them from the El Cerito free library. Over time I sent 800 lbs. of books.

This "tiny library movement" is one of the nicest and generous neighborhood engagement activities I've seen in a very long time. These "Little Free Library" boxes are all over our neighborhood and throughout the warming and welcoming suburb to our north, Evanston. Each house is so unique with so many different kinds of books. I just love the look and especially love the idea. I start to smile every time I spot one of these on my many evening walks with my husband. Mr. Bol was a visionary with a very kind and generous soul. May his "invention" continue to grow and development for years to come. Thank you for this incredible idea. Sincere condolences to his family, friends and many, many library pals.

The Little Free Libraries in Coronado give my 94 year old mother some adventure to walk to every day - we love them. Sometimes the books are a little - meh or ??? or !!!!, or even damp, but generally it is really fun. Thank you Mr. Bol.

I have seen these little libraries throughout my travels and was recently delighted to find one within a few blocks of my house. I have some books to donate. My best wishes to Mr. Bol's family. What a great idea to spread literacy and the love of books.

My memorial Little Library to my late husband, a writer, sits in my front yard. Rest in Peace Mr. Bol.

Thank you for sharing Todd's wonderful life story. While I wish the inspiration wasn't because of his death, this obituary lifted my spirits and reminded me that small steps for community building can be magnified in ways never foreseen. I see the libraries everywhere, but never bothered to ask where they come from. I contacted the Little Free Library this morning and plan on installing in our front yard a book bench that I will purchase through them. I have boxes of books that need a new home - and we have a neighborhood that could use an excuse to connect more regularly. I

At a time when it is hard not to feel powerless, Todd Bol's example is as heartening as it is important. What our government leaders cannot or will not do, we need to attempt on our own.