Seven years ago, a lover of books built the first Little Free Library in the front yard of his Hudson, Wisconsin, home in honor of his mother, a passionate reader and former teacher.

The libraries are a lot like big birdhouses: an enclosed kiosk in the shape of a schoolhouse or church or other building, usually on top of a pole. It’s full of books and anyone can take one or leave one. They’re free and there are no signatures, no late fees.People called stewards install them at homes, parks and schools, creating literacy-friendly neighborhoods. And the message to all is simple: Read!

More than 35,000 micro-libraries have popped up in communities across the United States, Canada and 70 countries around the globe. In San Antonio, stewards have registered 18 free libraries.

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