A book can change someone’s perspective on the world, but for some, accessing them can be a challenge. Little Free Libraries, sprinkled around Bexley, make anyone’s next read just a block away.
Bexley Public Library Director Ben Heckman said in the early 2010s, Bexley residents began installing Little Free Libraries independently of the Bexley Public Library.
“You and your family would say ‘well we want to do this and support reading,’” he said. “So you put up a little box in the front yard.”
However, Bexley residents originally weren’t legally allowed to have the structures in their front yards, attorney and former President of the Friends of the Bexley Public Library Emily Haynes explained.
The Friends of the Bexley Public Library, an organization that supports the library through donations, projects, volunteering and event planning, took on the project of getting the city to allow the Little Free Libraries after a Bexley resident asked for assistance with obtaining a permit, Haynes explained.
“She came to the Board and said ‘I want one in front of my house, but I’ve been told I can’t. Can you help me figure it out?’” Haynes explained. “And we said, ‘that’s a great idea.’”
Haynes said in order to make the Little Free Libraries legal, they needed to create an application process. Under the bylaws Haynes wrote, residents must apply for a permit, which is granted at the discretion of the Friends Board. They also require library owners to pay an annual Friends of the Bexley Public Library membership fee, Haynes explained.
Haynes said working on the bylaws inspired the Friends to put up additional Little Free Libraries around Bexley.
“We were like ‘that’s a great idea, let’s put them in public places,’” she said.
Haynes explained the Friends Board decided Little Free Libraries would be placed at Jeffrey Mansion and the Bexley Community Garden.
Friends of the Bexley Public Library Vice President Clare Reter said handling the permits is just one of the organization’s responsibilities. The Friends of the Bexley Public Library are also tasked with keeping the Little Free Libraries clean and stocked with books, she said.
The Friends, along with Bexley Service employees, report any damages to the libraries to Bexley Recreation and Parks, Recreation and Parks Grounds Supervisor Ron Gould explained.
He said repairs are done if the libraries get vandalized, which typically occurs a few times a year. Bexley Recreation and Parks usually covers the cost of repairs, Gould added.
In addition to the Bexley Public Library, the Little Free Libraries provide easier access to books, Haynes said. She added she grew up in a town where getting books was difficult.
“For 100,000 people, we had one library, which is insane,” she said. “It was only open three days a week.”
Bexley Public Gardens Commission Vice Chair Susan Quintenz said she first saw the Little Free Libraries while cleaning up local public gardens. She explained she quickly became interested in the libraries and began bringing in books.
“It’s like a treasure hunt every time I go,” Quintenz said.
Quintenz loved the libraries so much that the Bexley Community Foundation built four Little Free Libraries for her 75th birthday, Foundation Coordinator Anna Luehmann explained. The donated libraries are located in Schneider Park, Havenwood Park, on the Graeter’s patio and at the Bexley Pool, she added.
“Just over $4,000 was raised to purchase the Little Free Libraries,” Luehmann said. “The City of Bexley along with Graeter’s graciously covered the cost of installation.”
In order to keep the libraries stocked with books, The Bexley Community Foundation has a SignUpGenius, which they post in the foundation’s newsletter, Luehmann explained. The foundation uses the SignUpGenius to organize volunteers to distribute books to the libraries, Luehmann added.
Reter said the Friends help maintain the libraries by distributing a small percentage of the public library’s donations to different Little Free Libraries around Bexley.
Distributed books are selected from the hundreds donated to the public library, she explained. Reter added the Friends decide which books are best fit for the Little Free Libraries’ typical audience.
She added the distribution process is very simple, and it is an easy way to help out the community.
“You pick up some books that we’ve held in reserve at the library and go over to the little library and fill it,” Reter said. “It takes 10 to 15 minutes out of your day.”
Libraries create a sense of belonging and are an easy way to connect with other people, Reter said.
“They are vital, and they are an important part of our community,” she said.
Published and digitized February 2026.
