They sit in front yards, near parks, and along neighborhood streets. Some look like tiny houses. Others are brightly painted boxes mounted on posts.

Inside are books free for anyone to take.

Known as Little Free Libraries, these neighborhood book exchanges have become a common sight across the United States. One missionary family discovered that they can also provide an unusual opportunity to put the Word of God into the hands of someone who might never otherwise pick up a Bible.

An Idea on the Road

The Little Free Library movement began in 2009 when a Wisconsin man built a small model of a schoolhouse, filled it with books, and placed it outside with a sign to “take a book, leave a book.” The idea spread, eventually developing into a nonprofit organization and inspiring thousands of similar book exchanges.

One missionary family first began noticing the little libraries while traveling across the United States during furlough.

“We started to notice them everywhere while driving across country,” they explained. “It was during this time that we came up with a plan to use these libraries for ministry purposes!”

When they returned for their most recent furlough, they came prepared.

“During this recent furlough we have purposely visited Little Free Libraries everywhere we go with the express purpose of leaving a new Bible with a gospel tract inside of it on the John 3:16 page.”

Instead of waiting for someone to come to a church service, the missionaries are putting the Scriptures in places where people are already looking for something to read.

“We believe that this is an excellent indirect ministry that anyone can do.”

Bibles for $1.50

At first, stocking numerous libraries with new Bibles might sound expensive. But the family discovered an inexpensive source while traveling.

Dollar Tree stores in the areas they visited carried complete KJV Bibles for about $1.50 each. A box of 14 costs only around $20. Bulk Bibles can also be purchased inexpensively from other sources.

That makes it possible for an individual, family, Sunday school class, or church to adopt several Little Free Libraries in their community and regularly check them.

The missionaries tuck a gospel tract inside Bibles, but you can also leave several tracts on their own. Churches can leave tracts and include an address or contact information, giving the reader somewhere to turn with questions.

“Many people may be curious about reading a Bible, but will never go to church or buy one at a store,” the missionaries pointed out. “This may be their chance to grab one and read it.”

Find the Libraries Near You

Littlefreelibrary.org maintains an online map and smartphone app showing registered locations. Not every neighborhood library is officially registered, however. Once you start keeping an eye out for them, you may discover some while driving around town, walking through a neighborhood, or visiting another community.

If there isn’t one nearby, you can start your own! The missionary family plans to build one when they return to Japan, where they said Little Free Libraries are much less common.

Someone May Pick It Up

There is no way to know who will open that little wooden door next. It could be a teenager looking for something to read. It could be a parent walking with a child, a retiree from the neighborhood, or someone who would never think of walking into a Christian bookstore.

But there among the novels, children’s books, and cookbooks could be a Bible—with a gospel tract waiting at John 3:16.

“We never know what kind of impact that we can have,” the missionaries said.

A Little Free Library may not look like a traditional mission field. But leaving a Bible and a tract might reach someone who would never be exposed to the gospel.