How to Make a Little Free Library with Gorilla Glue

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Gorilla Glue Company  for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

INSIDE: How to make a Little Free Library for your neighborhood from a repurposed kitchen cabinet using Gorilla Glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape and Gorilla Glue products. How to teach kids kindness and idea for building neighborhood community.

Our 9-year old is a bookworm. So it only follows the plot that she’d have the bookish scheme to build a small library for our neighborhood. This pint-sized librarian-in-chief wanted to bring the page-turning concept of a Little Free Library to our community.

This novel idea was kicked off with a weekend trip to the local salvage yard. What kid doesn’t enjoy an early Saturday morning trailing behind her daddy through the aisles of a building supply company?!

But there’s no need to read between the lines; the trip topped the charts! A small solid wood kitchen cabinet would become the plot twist in this community-building library. Armed with a variety of Gorilla Glue products, including Gorilla Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape, this little library was lit!

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How to Make a Little Free Library with Gorilla Glue

What better way to build community and get more noses in books than with a Little Free Library? With some basic building supplies and a variety of permanent bond inside/outside glue products, like Gorilla Glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape, this thrifty cabinet-turned-library was novel!

Supplies:
– Repurposed solid wood kitchen cabinet
– Redwood slats
– Gorilla Wood Glue
– Jigsaw
– Paint + Primer
– Plexiglass
– Scoring knife for plexiglass
– Clear Gorilla Glue
– Plywood
– Finishing nails
– Gorilla Glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape
– Wood panel closure strips
– Polycarbonate sheets
– Hex screws with rubber washers
– Drill
– Polyurethane

how to build a little free library

Step 1: We purchased an old kitchen cabinet from a used building supply company. Since this cabinet-turned-library would be outdoors, it is recommended to get something made from solid wood with inlay doors.

Step 2: We used redwood fence slats (leftover from this DIY kids sandbox project) and created an A-frame on the front and back of the cabinet to make a pitched roof.

We used Gorilla Wood Glue to secure the redwood onto the top of cabinet.

Step 3: We took off the cabinet doors and used a jigsaw to remove the inlay.

 

Step 4: Prime and paint the inside and outside of the cabinet, including the doors.

Step 5: We cut plexiglass to fit the size of cabinet door inlay with a scoring knife, specific for plexiglass.

We used clear Gorilla Glue to secure the plexiglass to the inside of the cabinet doors.

Step 6: We cut two pieces of plywood to fit over the A-frame, leaving some overhang to protect the cabinet from rain. We secured the plywood with finishing nails.

how to use gorilla glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape

Step 7: We used Gorilla Glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape along the top of the pitched roof and along the four edges of the plywood roof.

Gorilla Glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape instantly seals out water, air and moisture. Since this Little Free Library will be outdoors and must withstand our blazing Arizona sun and moosoon rains, the thick adhesive layer and UV resistant backing of this Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape forms a permanent bond indoors and out.

At 4” wide, Gorilla Glue Waterproof Patch and Seal Tape can be used to patch holes, cracks, gaps and tears even underwater. It can be used for home, auto, marine, camping, RVs and outdoor projects!

Step 8: We cut wood panel closure strips (or as I call them “gingerbread trim”) the length of the plywood roof. Secure with original Gorilla Glue and let dry.

Step 9: We used polycarbonate sheets that were cut to the size of the plywood roof. We secured these sheets onto the “gingerbread trim” with 1″ self-piercing hex screws with rubber washers.

To avoid the “gingerbread” from splitting, be sure to drill a pilot hole into the metal sheets (as we learned the hard way).

Step 10: Put the cabinet doors back onto the cabinet.

Seal the entire cabinet with polyurethane to further protect from weather.

Step 11: Your Little Free Library is now complete! Make it “official” with the Little Free Library sign.

Our library will be secured onto a post in the ground on our property for the neighborhood to enjoy!

Does your neighborhood have a Little Free Library? Let me know in the comments. #coolpeopleread

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