HOT: Little Free Libraries, Melbourne

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. They’re otherwise known as Street Libraries. 

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 list of where to find them and other book swaps. 

Little Free Libraries in MELBOURNE CBD

• Melbourne Central, Level 2 Cnr LaTrobe and Swanston Street, Melbourne
• The Moat, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
• Knowledge Market, 892 Victoria Street, Docklands

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Find Hotels and Airbnbs near The Moat, Melbourne

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Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s 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
• Inside Barkly Square shopping centre
• Inside Diamond Village Shopping Centre, 78 Nepean St. Watsonia

Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE

• Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park
• Brighton Primary School
• Balston Street Balaclava (says Carlisle St but actually around the corner on Balston St)
• Garden City, Port Melbourne
• Rosny St Port Melbourne
• Cowderoy Park St Kilda East
• Station Pier Port Melbourne
• Murchison Street, Alma Road Community House
• 87 Tennyson Street, Elwood
• Milton Street, Elwood
• George Walter’s Garden (corner of Crockford and Raglan Streets), Olive’s Corner, Station Pier, Cruikshank Street, 58A Albert St, Port Melbourne
• Veg Out Community Gardens St Kilda
• Jacoby Reserve, St Kilda West

Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s EAST

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

Little Free Libraries in Melbourne’s WEST

This list has been partly compiled by Kel Devoil at Melbourne Minor, a parent and carer’s guide to art, culture and quirky in Melbourne. 

• 41 Lynch St Footscray
• 78 St Leonards Rd, Ascot Vale
• 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
• 83 Elphin St Newport

Last but not least I run the Book Swap Bike, a community book swapping event where everything comes out of a cargo bike!

Let me know at joyce@tothotornot.com if there’s a Little Free Library near you that’s missing from the list.

Click here for my list of Melbourne’s best children’s bookstores and Melbourne’s best libraries.