Applicants must be over 18 and based in the United Kingdom. Applicants, or any individuals who apply on behalf of an organisation, must be willing to become the Little Book Stop steward to maintain the box and keep it in good condition over the long-term. Unfortunately, you cannot apply if you already steward another community book box.
90 Little Book Stops
Bring the joy of reading to your community
On 30th July it’s Penguin’s 90th birthday. We’re celebrating 90 years of reading moments, and everything that books mean to communities with an exciting new project: 90 Little Book Stops.
Little Book Stops are book exchange spots that live in your neighbourhood. The first was installed as a ‘Little Free Library’ in 2009 in the US state of Wisconsin, sparking a global network of over 200,000 book boxes.
We're thrilled to be working with the non-profit Little Free Library who run the network to celebrate our 90th birthday.
Thank you to everyone who applied for one of the 90 Little Book Stops! We've had an overwhelming response and are now working through applications. We will be in touch with everyone who applied in the summer.
Images are for illustrative purposes only. The final design may differ.
Our Little Book Stops aim to celebrate the joy of reading and the people who make reading happen for their communities. We believe in the power of books to create connections between us and that each day, all over the UK, there are people who champion reading. Librarians, teachers, community leaders, parent groups, book sellers, youth workers, carers – the list goes on! Maybe it’s even your neighbour who is always recommending your next read.
How can I get involved?
We want to put the power of book sharing in your hands and hear your ideas for where the 90 Little Book Stops should be located. We asked you to get in touch if you:
- Had an idea for the perfect location for a Little Book Stop
- Could commit to becoming a steward and looking after the Little Book Stop
- Were over 18 and based in the UK
- Didn’t already look after a community book sharing box
Nominations closed on 1 May at 11.59pm. Thank you to everyone who applied for one of the 90 Little Book Stops! We've had an overwhelming response and are now working through applications. We will be in touch with everyone who applied in the summer.
How does a Little Book Stop work?
The 90 Little Book Stops will feature a bespoke Penguin design and be installed with an initial curation of children’s and adult books, specially selected to celebrate 90 years of Penguin books.
After that the concept is simple: take a book, share a book.
Each Little Book Stop has a steward that looks after them and they are open 24/7 so you can always find your next read.
Where can Little Book Stops be located?
The sky is the limit! Could your local park, town square, or edge of your front garden be a perfect spot? Get creative – the more unexpected, the better!
We want our Little Book Stops to reach all corners of the UK and will select a range of locations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
What does the steward role involve?
After the Little Book Stop is installed, it becomes the property of the steward and they are responsible for looking after it.
This involves monitoring the book stock, keeping the box clean and inviting, and ongoing maintenance so it remains in good condition.
Stewards are also responsible for registering the box with our partner Little Free Library. Registration gives stewards access to a support network and wide range of resources that help them make the most of their Little Book Stop.
What does the application form ask?
It's quick and easy to apply online before 1 May. We'll ask you four key questions to understand the potential impact of a Little Book Stop in your community and to ensure its success.
- Why is access to books important at this location?
- How might a Little Book Stop change this community?
- Does this Little Book Stop aim to celebrate a local individual or organisation that champions reading?
- How do you plan to look after the Little Book Stop as a steward?
Frequently asked questions
In addition to these questions, we recommend looking at the extensive FAQ section of the Little Free Library website where you can find loads of top tips.
Eligibility – who can apply and where can a Little Book Stop go?
Who can apply?
Can I apply on behalf of an organisation I work or volunteer with?
Yes. Organisations such as businesses, charities, or community groups can apply. We recommend you check the organisation is comfortable with this before you submit an application. Schools cannot apply as we support them with book access through our Libraries for Primaries campaign.
Can I apply if I already steward another community book box?
We love that you have already taken the step to bring books to your area and are championing reading! Unfortunately, if you already steward for a community book box, you are not eligible to apply as our goal with this project is to reach parts of the UK that don’t have already have community book sharing initiatives. We would love to hear from your friends or family in other areas though!
Where can a Little Book Stop be installed?
The sky is the limit! Could your local park, town square, or edge of your garden be a perfect spot? Get creative – the more unexpected, the better! We want our Little Book Stops to reach all corners of the UK and will select a range of locations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Do I need to get permission to install a Little Book Stop?
Yes, you will need to get permission from whoever owns the land you are proposing installing the Little Book Stop on, be it for example your local council or a private landowner.
Before you apply, we recommend researching three things. Who owns the land you would like the Little Book Stop to be installed on? What is the process for securing permission – do you need any permits for example? Time - How long is the permission process likely to take? You can submit your application whilst you’re in the process of researching these questions, but we encourage you to think about them early, so things run smoothly when we get to installations.
If your application is successful, we will remind you of your responsibility to arrange permissions and ask you to confirm these are in place. Your Little Book Stop will only be installed once we have received confirmation. If you are unable to secure necessary permissions within a set timeframe, we will unfortunately have to award the Little Book Stop to a different applicant.
The FAQ section of the Little Free Library website has a wealth of information and tips on making this process as easy as possible.
Can I apply to install one on my own land?
Yes absolutely! If you own publicly accessible land that you are comfortable with people accessing in order to visit the Little Book Stop, we want to hear from you. A common way this can work is if your garden borders a pavement or pathway in such a way that the Little Book Stop could be accessible from the street.
The application process
What does the application form ask?
There are four key questions we’re looking for answers to:
- Why is access to books important at this location?
- What impact do you think a Little Book Stop will have on this community?
- Does this Little Book Stop aim to celebrate a local individual or organisation that champions reading?
- How do you plan to look after the Little Book Stop as a steward?
By answering these questions, you’ll help us understand the potential impact of a Little Book Stop in your community and ensure its success. We will also ask you for details about the proposed location of the Little Book Stop and information about other book sharing initiatives in the area. These questions are not scored but helps us to check we are reaching a wide range of areas.
How can I make my application as strong as possible?
All applications will be read and carefully reviewed by a judging panel of Penguin and Little Free Library colleagues. The panel are looking for applications that clearly demonstrate what impact you anticipate the Little Book Stop will have and to understand why you think bringing a Little Book Stop to the area is important. We want to hear your story and about your local community. The panel will select a diversity of locations across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Please complete the application form fully as we cannot consider partially completed applications.
How and when will I find out if I have been successful? Will I get a response if I am unsuccessful?
Once the judging panel have selected the 90 locations, all applicants will be contacted. We aim to do this by the end of June. This will be via email by Little Free Library, our project partner. If you are successful and we don’t hear back from you by email, we will call you on the number provided on the application form. If we still cannot reach you, the Little Book Stop will be awarded to another applicant.
I have a question about the application form. Who can help?
Please email questions to Little Free Library, our project partner who are managing the application form process. They can be reached at impact@littlefreelibrary.org
When will my Little Book Stop be installed, if I am successful?
We hope to begin installations from July onwards. If your application is successful, we will confirm what the next steps are and remind you of your responsibility to arrange all necessary permissions. Once you have confirmed that any required permissions are in order and in place, we will arrange for your Little Book Stop to be installed. If you are unable to secure necessary permissions within a set timeframe, we will unfortunately have to award the Little Book Stop to a different applicant.
Can I submit my application in a different format?
If there is a reason you need to submit your application in another format, for example if the written form is inaccessible to you, please contact communications@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk to discuss.
Being a steward
What does being a steward mean?
After the Little Book Stop is installed, it becomes the property of the steward and they are responsible for looking after it. This involves monitoring the book stock, keeping the box clean and inviting, and ongoing maintenance so it remains in good condition. Stewards are also responsible for registering the box with our partner Little Free Library. Through registration, the stewards get access to a support network and wide range of resources that help them make the most of their Little Book Stop.
Will I be responsible for installing the Little Book Stop?
No. Penguin’s design partner for the project will manufacture, transport, and install the Little Book Stop. If your nomination is successful, we will confirm an installation date in advance. From the moment the Little Book Stop is installed, it will become your property and responsibility as the steward.
Will my name be made public if I become a steward?
That’s up to you. Each steward will have the opportunity to provide a quote that is affixed to their Little Book Stop explaining what books and reading mean to them and why it was important to bring the Little Book Stop to their community. This can be anonymous if you’d prefer.
When stewards register their box on the Little Free Library website, they will have the option to share their name and email on the world map, or not. Providing contact information will mean visitors can contact you but it is not mandatory.
Will I be expected to promote the Little Book Stop if I become a steward?
We ask that stewards commit to submitting photos and at least one story about the impact of the Little Book Stop after installation that can be used on the Little Free Library and Penguin social media accounts. This can be anonymous if you would prefer.
Can I decorate or personalise the Little Book Stop once it's installed?
We would like the 90 Little Book Stops to have a shared identity, so ask that you please do not personalise or decorate the box. As part of the installation process, you will have the opportunity to provide a quote that's attached to the Little Book Stop explaining what books and reading mean to you.
What are the Little Book Stops made from?
The main structure will be wooden, with a door that features a clear window made from acrylic. We are working with our design partner to balance sustainability and durability in the final design.
