This little library, made from a cabinet found at Urban Ore, is at 363 Panoramic Way. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
If you’ve spent any time in Berkeley you’ll have encountered a miniature library. We counted about 50 official little libraries and dozens more that do not bear a plaque. The often whimsical sidewalk structures encourage passersby to take a book, return a book or swap one out. The phenomenon began with Little Free Library, a nonprofit launched in 2009 after a man in Hudson, Wisconsin, built a one-room schoolhouse model as a tribute to his late mother, who was a teacher.
Now the diminutive libraries are scattered across 50 states, 128 countries and seven continents. The goal is to build community, inspire readers and increase access to books across the world.
Anyone can buy a little library, which come pre-registered in a variety of designs at the official Little Free Library online shop. Or they can register their custom-made library by purchasing a charter sign. All registered libraries have a unique number that entitles them to be added to the Little Free Library map.
Some little libraries in Berkeley have gone rogue, however. Residents have been creative by building their own versions of the libraries — some registered, some not, some offering books, some not — but all boasting innovative concepts.
We rounded up 12 of Berkeley’s most playful libraries by perusing the Little Free Library map, doing our own research, exploring the city and asking local residents and the Berkeleyside team for their favorites. They are listed in no particular order.
Our favorite little libraries in Berkeley
1. The Berkeley disk and tape library, 900 Bancroft Way
2. Jigsaw puzzle library, 2410 Browning St.
3. Little red boxcar library, 1449 Oxford St.
4. Newspaper rack-turned-library, 3115 Eton Ave.
5. Diorama museum library, 2337 Derby St.
6. Art and keychain library, 1620 California St.
7. Tiny art showcase, 1342 Hopkins St.
8. Living library with banned books, 2000 Yolo Ave.
9. Dog library, 1141 Amador Ave.
10. Sister Oak Folk School library/museum, 1436 Oxford St.
11. Art & Lit library, 1321 Bay View Pl.
12. Blockbuster library, 1125 Colusa Ave.
Honorable mention: LEGO and DUPLO library, 2630 Webster St.
1. The Berkeley disk and tape library, 900 Bancroft Way
This West Berkeley library offers old-school media: cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
EBay reseller Phil Rowntree often encounters old-school forms of media that work well, but have no resale value. So he created a disk and tape library, which offers cassette tapes, CDs, DVDs and VHS tapes. Rowntree told Berkeleyside he started the library to “try and find homes for recorded media that could otherwise end up in the landfill.” Rowntree invites the community to contact him if they would like to donate a large collection. He can be reached at youngpunks23@gmail.com, or 510-409-2435.
2. Jigsaw puzzle library, 2410 Browning St.
Add or swap puzzles at this themed library. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
Not much of a reader? The jigsaw puzzle library has got you covered. This fun twist on the usual little library concept allows neighbors to add, swap or grab puzzles. Levels of difficulty vary, with some puzzles having under 50 pieces and others 1,000 or more: puzzles for everyone.
3. Little red boxcar library, 1449 Oxford St.
The couple behind this boxcar library gifted it to each other one Christmas. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
After years of dreaming about getting a little library installed at their home, the owners of the little red boxcar gifted it to each other for Christmas, according to the map description for this unconventional library. They found the train car model on the Little Free Library website and added their own tracks.
4. Newspaper rack-turned-library, 3115 Eton Ave.
PG-only books at this library in a former newspaper vending machine. Fun fact: The coin-operated newspaper vending machine was invented in Berkeley. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
This unofficial little library appears to be made of an old newspaper vending machine, and it is the perfect height for kids. If you drop a book off here, be sure to keep it PG.
Submit your own ideas on its website for this beautiful diorama museum. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
This pretty diorama museum library has three display windows on three of its sides and 13 diorama spaces. According to the museum’s website, the creators believe dioramas allow viewers to peek into tiny worlds, while also peering into their own souls. Diorama ideas can be submitted on the website.
6. Art and keychain library, 1620 California St.
It’s two libraries in one on California Street. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
No books in this little library but rather a miniature art collection. Passers-by can take, leave or swap their own creations. Another tiny library further down on the post is designed for keychain exchanges — two libraries in one.
7. Tiny art showcase, 1342 Hopkins St.
Mini art gallery library at 1342 Hopkins St. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
This little library also features a revolving display of art. The mini protest piece currently on display was a community effort. The creator, @great.tiny.art on Instagram, invited people to bring their own action figures and write on tiny blank signs that they provided.
8. Living library with banned books, 2000 Yolo Ave.
This blossoming library features banned books, defined as books removed from schools in America. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
This ‘living library’ has never had a bad hair day, thanks to the several types of succulents growing from its roof. Inside are banned books, or, as defined by Little Free Libraries: books removed from schools in America. These bans overwhelmingly target communities of color and LGBTQ+ authors. (Disclosure: The library is owned by Teresa Olson, wife of Mike Olson, who is chair of the board at Cityside Journalism Initiative. Board members have no input into decisions about what Berkeleyside reports on or how.)
9. Dog library, 1141 Amador Ave.
There are treats and sticks for canine passersby at this dog library on Amador Avenue. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
This little library is a welcome spot for dog walkers to make a pit stop in the Berkeley Hills. Along with books, the library offers treats and sticks for canine passersby. The cherry on top? Dog portraits are painted on either side of the structure. (There’s also a similar doggy stick-and-ball library on Addison Street near Martin Luther King Jr. Way.)
10. Sister Oak Folk School library/museum, 1436 Oxford St.
Add items, play with characters, and leave little furniture at this dollhouse library/museum. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
This non-traditional library/museum is built like a dollhouse. The house is only meant for leaving things, not taking them. People can add items, play with characters and leave little furniture. The owner, who likes to be known as The Curator, collects stories and tends to their futures. This description was revised after publication to ensure it was up-to-date.
11. Art & Lit library, 1321 Bay View Pl.
Local artists display their work at this ultra-tiny gallery above a little library with books. Credit: Kelly Sullivan for Berkeleyside
Outside Andrea Scharff’s Bernard Maybeck-designed 1907 home sits a little art gallery that only accepts ultra-teeny works of art. The opening is only 5 inches deep and 3 inches high, and just over a foot wide. The gallery opened in 2021 and has since featured a rotating display of works from local artists. Read more about the library in this Berkeleyside story.
12. Blockbuster library, 1125 Colusa Ave.
The owner of this library worked at Blockbuster while at high school and misses the days of recommending and talking about films. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
Berkeley Free Blockbuster is keeping the spirit of movie rentals alive with this film version of a little library. Take a movie, leave a movie. The best part? No late fees. According to owner Rafael Patricio the library is inspired by FreeBlockbuster, an international movement to create little versions of the once ubiquitous video store, and provide free entertainment. “I worked at a Blockbuster in high school and miss the days of recommending and talking about films,” Patricio told Berkeleyside. He found a mini Blockbuster when he lived in Los Angeles and brought the concept to Berkeley. Now, when walking his dog around town, he picks up free media from the sidewalk, which he calls “ground scores.” Patricio plans to curate the library with a staff picks section and themed drops.
Honorable mention: LEGO and DUPLO library, 2630 Webster St.
This official little library is covered with LEGO and DUPLO pieces. Credit: Hope Muñoz/Berkeleyside
Finally — and, yes, this means we’re sharing more than 12! — an honorable mention must go to the LEGO and DUPLO library at the southeast corner of Benvenue Avenue and Webster Street. It has been out of commission as of this month while its owners renovate their home, but is expected to return in about 10 months.
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