At least one of the Little Free Libraries around is carrying soup and other non-perishable items in addition to books. Someone filled the neighborhood book box at Plaza Street and Loquat Avenue in south Coconut Grove with pasta, baby foods, beans rice and canned goods, reports a neighbor, who says “please feel free to go and take some food if you and your family are struggling.”  Anyone who wants to add to the collection of shelf-stable foods can provide those, too.

Throughout South Florida, there are around 50 or so of the book-sharing boxes, which hold 20-100 books, and 100,000 registered across the globe in 108 countries. Most are placed in front yards, parks, gardens and easily accessible locations. Some are in coffee shops, in or near restaurants and community centers.

This isn’t the first conversion of a library into a sharing box for essential supplies, like sanitizing products and toilet paper; knitting kits; and sanitized and wrapped books, just right for quarantine reading.