DIY Del Ray: The Little Free Library of Windsor and Dewitt

Travel down any of Del Ray’s well-worn streets, you’ll always notice something unique and interesting—funky yard art, gorgeous landscaping, a free antique on the curb. One of my favorite new additions to the neighborhood has got to be the Little Free Library (LFL) located at the corner of Windsor and Dewitt avenues.

Bigger than a breadbox but smaller than a dog house, the LFL is part of a network of over 5,000 LFLs around the world. This LFL branch is the brainchild of Renée Adams and Elli Ludwigson, neighbors and friends on Windsor Avenue. It was actually the first LFL in Northern Virginia.

Even if you’ve never met Renée, you may know of her as the proprietor of the beloved poetry fence along Dewitt. The poetry fence has been a popular Del Ray attraction ever since Renée launched it in 2009. It’s because of the poetry fence that Elli met Renée, after Renée advertised a neighborhood poetry reading.

When Elli suggested they launch a branch of the LFL, of course Renée said yes! Originally, they wanted to build the library themselves, but instead opted to purchase a pre-assembled structure made from reclaimed barn wood and had another neighbor attach the building to a post and secure it into the ground.

The LFL works just like any ordinary library, except you don’t need a library card and the only request is that if you do take a book, make sure to drop one off for another patron to enjoy. Get some, give some.

So far, traffic to the library has been pretty steady. I noticed the books I dropped off last week were already gone, and many new books had arrived. At any given time the library will be stocked with about 30-50 books—fiction, non-fiction, even some how-to home improvement books. Their biggest need right now is children’s books—classics are popular and move off the “shelves” quickly. 
When books don’t move, Renée will take them inside her house and rotate in others.

Renée, an avid gardener, went above and beyond by adding a trellis to grow clematis. She planted several perennials along the sidewalk, a flowering vine on a nearby sign post and offers her brand of "fast food," free curbside tomatoes for the taking.

The LFL does more than provide reading materials for patrons of all interests and ages, it also helps build community. Elli lives a block down from the LFL and she appreciates how this project has given her the opportunity to meet new neighbors. And Renée loves how she can sit on her porch and people she doesn’t even know will drive or walk by, look over at the LFL, and smile and wave.

People stop all the time, sometimes they leave with a book and sometimes they don’t, but the LFL serves as a steady reminder that a new adventure or discovery patiently awaits inside that small wooden box.

You can stay in touch with Renée and Elli by visiting their Facebook page. And if you’re interested in starting your own LFL, visit the Little Free Library website for registration information, blueprints and more.

For more stories about Del Ray life and projects to do around your home, visit DIY Del Ray.