TY - JOUR
T1 - Reflections on a “media darling”
T2 - Debunking naive claims of universal 24/7 access to Little Free Libraries (LFLs)
AU - Houghton, Frank
AU - Gunderson, April
AU - Gautam, Dilli
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - This reflection is based on the authors’ concerns around the often-uncritical reception given to the increasing proliferation of Little Free Libraries (LFLs). The almost viral growth of these iconic micro book repositories has been met with widespread media coverage and support. However, many questions remain surrounding their role and impact. This piece seeks to explore the issue of access to LFLs. A growing number of high-tech geo-spatial examinations of access to LFLs have been conducted in recent years. However, this reflective exploration is based upon a pragmatic review of experiences and observations of LFLs in Spokane, WA. This practical approach challenges widespread narratives around the 24/7 nature of access to LFLs through a commonsense examination of obstacles such as weather, lighting, topography, pavements, and pollution, as well as an exploration of the issue of diversity.
AB - This reflection is based on the authors’ concerns around the often-uncritical reception given to the increasing proliferation of Little Free Libraries (LFLs). The almost viral growth of these iconic micro book repositories has been met with widespread media coverage and support. However, many questions remain surrounding their role and impact. This piece seeks to explore the issue of access to LFLs. A growing number of high-tech geo-spatial examinations of access to LFLs have been conducted in recent years. However, this reflective exploration is based upon a pragmatic review of experiences and observations of LFLs in Spokane, WA. This practical approach challenges widespread narratives around the 24/7 nature of access to LFLs through a commonsense examination of obstacles such as weather, lighting, topography, pavements, and pollution, as well as an exploration of the issue of diversity.
KW - Access
KW - Little Free Libraries (LFLs)
KW - disability
KW - diversity
KW - environment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118528740&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15367967.2021.1997606
DO - 10.1080/15367967.2021.1997606
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85118528740
SN - 1536-7967
VL - 18
SP - 264
EP - 277
JO - Journal of Access Services
JF - Journal of Access Services
IS - 4
ER -