Little Free Library is a global, grassroots movement of community-based book exchanges. People build miniature libraries (using recycled materials) and an honesty system allows people to borrow from the library and in turn donate their pre-loved books.

Little Free Libraries promote literacy and the love of reading and help to build a sense of community. I love the feeling of discovery – suddenly stumbling across a Little Free Library where every book is a potential source of inspiration!

Melbourne has many Little Free Library book exchanges. They spring up in front yards, on bike paths and at train stations. Here’s a starting list of where to find them.

MELBOURNE CBD

• Melbourne Central, Level 2 Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston Street, Melbourne

• The Moat, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne

NORTH / NORTH-EAST

• 10 Bowmore Ave, Park Orchards
• 901 Main Road, Hurstbridge
• South Crescent Westgarth
• 159a Smith St Thornbury
• Rossmoyne St, Thornbury
• 62 Kendall St, Preston
• 173 Edward St Brunswick
• 28 Pearl St Northcote
• Upfield bicycle path, Coburg
• Dawson St Brunswick
• cnr Aberdeen Rd and Birdwood Ave Macleod
• Birdwood Ave Macleod

SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

• Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park
• Brighton Primary School

EAST

• 13 Kent Street, Hawthorn
• 2 Florence Street, Blackburn

WEST

This list has been compiled by Kel Devoil at Little.Different, a parent and carer’s guide to art, culture and quirk in Melbourne. For a map and reviews of the inner west’s Little Free Libraries, check out her full post.  

• fifty-six threads cafe, Kensington
• 5 Hobbs St Seddon
• Bellair St Seddon (opposite train station)
• Hotham St Seddon
• Seventh Ave Altona North
• 117 Mason St, Newport
• Somerville Rd Yarraville
• Cnr Hansen Rd and Nesnah St West Footscray
• Pin Oak Crescent Flemington
• Kingsville St Kingsville
• Goulburn St Yarraville
• on the corner of Keilor Road and Bradshaw street, Essendon

Let me know at  if there’s a Little Free Library near you that’s missing from the list!