Life with Jesus shouldn’t feel risky.
96 million people report being curious about Jesus, but exploring Christianity comes with risk;
Will I be judged? Will I feel pressured? Will I regret opening my heart?
The journey requires incredible vulnerability, and we believe people deserve a less intimidating way to learn.
Offer a lot of hope in a little church library.
As Christians, we want to share the Gospel with our neighbors, but evangelism of the past can come off as too blunt for the world we live in today.
If you’d rather invite your neighbors to explore life with Jesus—without risk or pressure— plant a Little Church Library.
What is a Little Church Library?
Little Church Libraries are charming mini-church structures with small collections of free-to-take Christian books that address real-life problems in real time.
When thoughtfully placed throughout communities, these churches offer a way for your neighbors to begin learning about Jesus without having to face the fear of stepping foot into a church.
Practical
They’re not just for bibles.
Bibles may be part of the collection, but the libraries intentionally include books that make biblical messages easier to understand and apply.
Accessible
The little structures don’t have locks and keys; they’re open 24/7, making them accessible to those they serve when they’re needed most.
Transformative
They’re always just the start.
Sometimes all it takes is one paragraph in one book to spark meaningful conversation that leads to eternal transformation.
Join the movement.
Planting a Little Church Library takes a little
time but packs a lot of heart. Here’s how to begin:
Pick a place.
First, decide where to legally and safely install the Little Church Library. The best locations have a lot of foot traffic and are highly visible. Then, identify at least one person to be the shepherd (shepherd = caretaker). This person will promote the library and ensure it remains clean and inviting.
Get a library.
Build your own following any design you like, find someone locally to build one for you, or purchase a library through our online store. Then, register your library by purchasing an official charter sign (included with those libraries bought from our online store). Once registered, follow the directions sent to your email to set up your Shepherd account.
Make it known.
Tell your friends, family, and neighbors, use social media to engage your community, and hold a grand opening ceremony to kick off the library in style (ribbon cutting, snacks, and book exchange). Contact the local paper, radio, and TV stations. The more people who know about and support your library, the better!
If you’re not ready to start your own, you can support another Little Chuch Library with your time or resources.
HOW MUCH DOES A LITTLE CHURCH LIBRARY COST?
If you have a desire to plant a church in your community but don’t have the funds, tools, or experience to buy or build your own, we encourage you to reach out to your local Woodworking Guild Association.
CAN I BUILD ONE ON MY OWN?
You certainly can! Many of our church planters do. Please simply register your church by purchasing an official charter sign upon completion so we can offer ongoing support and let people know your Little Church Library is active!
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO PLANT IT?
You need permission to plant a Little Church Library on a property you do not own. If you decide to put a library on city property or in a public park, you will need to contact your local government office to get approval. Once you obtain it, be sure you follow local zoning laws. To make things easy, you can be a Shepherd and put a Little Church Library in your own front yard. Even in this case, your library needs to be compliant with local zoning laws and any regulations from your HOA or neighborhood association.
Once you have chosen your library site, call the national 811 number to arrange to have a local utility company come out and mark any underground utilities, so you can avoid hitting water, electric, and gas lines. Watch out for tree roots, too!
WHERE SHOULD I PLANT IT?
We recommend seeking out an area where a lot of people pass by. Nature trails, bike paths, hospitals, bus stops, and playgrounds are all great options. Plant the library at least 3 to 5 feet away from the sidewalk so it’s still visible to those who walk by but not a barrier to traffic flow.
DOES MY CHURCH HAVE TO BE INVOLVED?
Nope! If you are part of a church, that can be a great place to start for funding, books, and support, but many other types of groups work together to plant and maintain Little Church Libraries, too; Boy or Girl Scout troops, Trail Life USA, life groups, neighborhood collectives, and families are all active participants in our community!
HOW DO I GET BOOKS TO FILL IT?
If you are struggling to fill your Little Church Library, reach out! We may have some donations to ship your way.
WHAT KIND OF BOOKS SHOULD BE INCLUDED?
Not sure what books to get for your Little Church Library? Here are some ideas to keep in mind as you’re building your library.
1. Start with what you have. You and the people in your sphere of influence likely have plenty of books you’ve already read that would be great to pass on to others.
2. Make sure the books are biblically sound. Unfortunately, there’s no perfect way to do this without reading the books beforehand. Look for books from publishers and authors you know and trust.
3. Pick books that are easy to read. You want to engage people from a variety of different reading levels. Most people who are searching for hope don’t need a theology textbook. They need a book that answers questions they are struggling with in an easy-to-understand manner.
4. Try to collect a diversity of books. You never know who will see the Little Church Library and pick up a book. Try to have books that answer various felt needs, such as financial struggles, emotional pain, recovery issues, etc. Also, include different age groups in your library. It’s always good to have some strong Christian children’s books in your library. Many parents are very open to reading material for their children.
5. Make sure you always have a Bible or two. While the focus of Little Church Library is to introduce people who may not be ready to open a Bible to Christian literature, you will get people who want to read God’s Word. Try to include easy-to-read translations like the New Living Translation, the New Century Version, and the Christian Standard Bible. The Jesus Storybook Bible and the New International Reader’s Version are great for children. Instead of including the entire Bible, you could choose to place copies of the New
Testament in your library so spiritual seekers can quickly engage with the Gospel.
6. Include some information on your local church. Put a business card with your church’s website in the library. Maybe include personal contact information for you in it as well. Do what you can to connect your visitors to people who can walk them through their journey to Jesus.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAINTAIN A LIBRARY?
A wipe down with a damp soapy cloth whenever it gets dirty.
CAN I FUND SOMEONE ELSE’S LIBRARY?
You sure can. This is a great blessing to many who have more time than money to give to the mission! Donate here.
HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT AN EXISTING LIBRARY?
Volunteering is a fantastic way to serve! Simply use the map above to find a Little Church Library near you and reach out to the church’s shepherd using the email address provided.