CAMDEN — Little Free Library book exchanges across the country have been a “thing” since 2009, when a man in Wisconsin named Todd Bol built a model of a one-room schoolhouse and filled it with books to give away as a tribute to his mother, who was a teacher who loved to read. He placed the Little Free Library in his front yard. His neighbors and friends loved it, so he built several more and gave them away.

There are nearly 15,000 Little Free Library book exchanges across the country, but only about a dozen in Maine. The last time Camden saw one was when author Dena Davis made a Little Free Library for the 2014 Midcoast Mini Maker Faire.

A couple of weeks ago, the resident at 104 Chestnut St., Lucinda Watson, became a steward of a Little Free Library. “I’d heard about them because I’m an avid reader,” she said, “So, I went to their website and there are a number of different styles you can order or even just get plans to build one yourself. But I ordered one and set it up and it was a big hit.”  Many of of her neighbors were the first ones to donate books. The library is packed with quality hard cover books now and, as the motto goes, is open to anyone walking or driving by to “Take a book; leave a book.”

Nationally, after Bol and other early adopters and DIY makers of this social experiment made more Little Free Library book exchanges, the movement grew and by 2010, the name Little Free Library was established and the purpose of these free exchanges became clear: to share good books and bring communities together. By 2012, the number of Little Free Library book exchanges around the country skyrocketed from hundreds to more than 4,000, the same year in which Little Free Library became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Today, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers, encouraging a love of reading in areas where books are scarce.

Watson said she’d love for more people to visit the Little Free Library on her front lawn at the curb, and begin exchanging and taking books. “I love seeing people stop by and take or give books and lifting their kids up to take a book.It’ really fun and you make a lot of friends.” Though the library mostly holds adult titles now, Watson said she’d love to see more children’s books donated. “The funny thing is I’m a collector of children’s books, because I have five grandchildren and it’s very hard to give them up!”

 To learn how to become a steward of a Little Free Library of your own visit: littlefreelibrary.org.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com