Olivette's 'Little Free Library' Profiled

In an era when you can read just about anything (including this story) online with the touch of a key or an app, a family in Olivette has joined an effort that's designed to put books in the hands of those who want them, in a unique way.

The King-Levine family, on Enfield Road, was profiled by KSDK earlier this month for joining the "Little Free Library" movement. The idea is that you build what looks like a large birdhouse, put it in your yard, stock it with books, and hope people pick some up or leave some. All for free.

In the St. Louis area, there are Little Free Libraries in Ballwin and University City. There are others in Marshall and Blue Springs, MO. The organization's goal is to place more than 2500 of them worldwide to build literacy and a sense of community.

Patch sites in Georgia, Minnesota and Michigan have also reported on the spread of Little Free Libraries, but the idea has apparently not been without controversy in other parts of the country.

Whitefish Bay Patch in Wisconsin reports that municipal leaders there decided to ban them because "concerns were raised about vandalism, size regulations and a potential for the devices to turn into vessels for propaganda." Oak Creek Patch, also in Wisconsin reports that one library in South Milwaukee has had to fend off doomsday believers who continue to put religious pamphlets inside.