How to Build a DIY Little Free Library

A DIY little free library is a box, a door and a roof. The craft is in keeping water out for years and setting the post so it doesn't lean. This guide follows the proportions of the free Kalamazoo plan that Little Free Library hosts, and adds the weatherproofing and install details that decide how long it lasts. Little Free Library is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit; we're not affiliated with it.

Little free library plans: dimensions and cut list

Plywood parts from the Kalamazoo plan (¾ in plywood):

The plan's drawings show how the angled sides and roof meet; download it before cutting and check each part against your own assembly as you go. A 4x8 sheet of plywood covers all of the panel parts with room to spare.

Materials and cost

Lumber and plywood prices vary widely by region, so treat these as rough ranges. Tools: circular saw or table saw, jigsaw, drill/driver, clamps, square, caulk gun, post-hole digger or spade, level.

How to build it

1. Cut the panels Cut base, back, sides and roof panels. Make the 45° top cuts on the sides as the plan shows. Sand every edge.
2. Seal the end grain first Plywood edges soak up water. Prime all edges now, before assembly, when you can reach them.
3. Glue and screw the box Run a bead of exterior-rated wood glue or polyurethane construction adhesive on each joint, then screw the sides to the base and the back to the sides and base. Glue alone isn't enough for something that hangs outdoors; the screws hold, the glue seals and stiffens. Wipe squeeze-out before it cures.
4. Add the roof Glue and screw the roof panels on so they overhang the front by at least an inch or two; that overhang is what keeps rain off the door. Cover with shingles or metal and cap the ridge.
5. Build the face frame and door Make a frame from the ¾ x 1½ in lumber to fit the front opening, then a matching door frame. Rout or saw a groove (or use small trim strips) to hold the acrylic panel.
6. Hang the door Use self-closing hinges so the door doesn't get left open in the rain, and a magnetic catch or simple turn button. A knob kids can reach matters more than a fancy latch. Don't lock it.
7. Weatherproof Prime and paint every face with exterior paint, two coats. Caulk the seams at the roof and around the face frame. Drill two small drain holes in the floor in case water gets in.
8. Add the post topper Screw a plywood or 2x platform to the top of the post, then fix the library to it from inside with six 2½ in lag screws, as Little Free Library's install guide does.

Installing the post

1. Get permission first Little Free Library has no design rules, but it notes city or HOA rules may apply. Ask before you dig, and keep the library off the public right-of-way unless your city allows it.
2. Call 811 Free utility locating before any digging.
3. Dig Little Free Library's guide: a hole 2 ft deep and 1 ft wide. A 5 ft post then stands about 3 ft above ground. Most stewards install 3-5 ft from the sidewalk.
4. Set and tamp Stand the post, plumb it with a level, and backfill in layers, tamping firmly each time. The guide says concrete usually isn't necessary; in loose or sandy soil, a bag of gravel at the bottom and more tamping helps.
5. Mount the library Lift the box onto the topper (two people) and drive the lag screws from inside.

How to register and charter it

Registering is optional, but it's the only way to use the name. According to littlefreelibrary.org:

• The name Little Free Library and its common variations are trademarked; to use it you need an official charter sign and charter number on your library.
• A charter sign is a one-time $49.95 purchase, one per library. Libraries bought from Little Free Library's own store come with a sign already.
• After buying the sign you set up a steward account and add your library to the world map; it isn't listed until you do. The network counts more than 200,000 libraries.

If you'd rather not charter, call it a book exchange or book box and build it exactly the same way.

Variations and upkeep

• Kids' shelf: a second, lower box or a bottom shelf at 2 ft for picture books.
• Seed library: a small drawer or jar for swapping seed packets in spring; it pairs well with a gardening shelf.
• Repurposed cabinet: an old kitchen wall cabinet with a glass door makes a fast shell. Add a proper roof and seal it well.
• Upkeep: check monthly for damp books, wasps and a sticking door; repaint the roof edges every couple of years.

The same glue-and-screw, prime-every-edge approach works for bigger yard builds, from a wooden sandbox with a lid to a DIY greenhouse or a greenhouse shed combination. More projects are on our garden projects page.

If you enjoyed this build, a greenhouse kit is the natural next weekend project. Our guide to DIY greenhouse kits covers kits a non-builder can assemble, and the roundup of the best greenhouse kits compares picks by size, budget and climate.