The Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that encourages small lending libraries at stand-alone locations. Inside each Little Free Library are books available for anyone to read by the honor system. The books are donated by local residents and are meant to appeal to a diverse audience and anyone can access them. Users are simply asked to replace each book with another in good condition from their own personal collection.
There are over 100,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide, and it's estimated that 165 million books have been shared through LFLs in all 50 U.S. states and 108 countries worldwide.
Little Free Libraries are maintained by county staff at the following locations in Sarasota County:
- Sarasota
- Longwood Park: 6050 Longwood Run Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34243
- Colonial Oaks Park: 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34232
- Urfer Family Park: 4000 Honore Ave., Sarasota, FL 34233
- Old Miakka Preserve: 251 Myakka Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240Twin Lakes Park:
- 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL 34241
- Turtle Beach Campground: 8862 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242
- Siesta Key Beach North: 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota, FL 34242
- Siesta Key Beach South (near playground): 948 Beach Rd., Sarasota, FL 34242
- Culverhouse Nature Park: 7301 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34238
- Nokomis/Osprey
- Laurel Park, 509 Collins Road, Nokomis, FL 34275
- Venice
- Shamrock Park, 3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice, FL 34293
- Venice Area Audubon Rookery, 4006 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice FL 34292
- Englewood
- Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 S. River Road, Englewood FL 34223
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The following LFL's were provided through a partnership between Sarasota County Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Sustainability and Project Read Together.
- Newtown Estates Park, 2800 Newtown Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34234
- Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231
There are also several more in Sarasota County that were created by residents and businesses. You can see the full set of LFLs in our region and around the world on the Official LFL Map. Visit the LittleFreeLibrary.org webpage for more information about LFLs and the organization. You can also find more information about LFLs in Sarasota County, including how you can start your own, on our Hours and Locations webpage by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking on the blue tab labeled "Little Free Libraries".