RVA NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE: Little Free Library Edition
BY AUDRA NEAGLE
Richmond is thriving with food, art, music, and … book-sharing? That’s right! RVA is a hot spot for Little Free Libraries (LFLs)! These mini book nooks help encourage literacy and spread book-access by inviting the community to take a book and/or leave a book. It’s a neighborly way to share in the universal joys and lessons that reading can bring. LFLs are also a great way to stoke or re-ignite a reading passion and introduce young readers to the power of reading — all for FREE.
What’s more, Richmond’s LFLs show off the city’s creativity and artistic talents. I decided to set out to try to document all of the city’s box locations over on Instagram at @lflhunter_rva, where a new (to me) Richmond-area LFL is posted every single day. The account has turned into my little bookish love letter to Richmond, and in this guide, I’m sharing 75 of my favorite boxes (organized by neighborhood)!
A few things before we get to the full list:
General LFL etiquette
While book hunting or donating in RVA, please be mindful and always try to leave boxes better than you found them. It’s good practice to try to leave books in place of what is taken, but it’s not necessary for every trip. Consider donating to these boxes when you or your family are outgrowing books, and always try to return books to a LFL when you’re done. Think, too, about making donations to the boxes or the stewards themselves to keep these neighborhood libraries thriving!
Other helpful notes
Consider downloading the Little Free Library app to find a user-friendly map of boxes; LFL’s registered with the official Little Free Library nonprofit organization will likely show up in the app.
Think about donating to @littlefreediverselibraryrva to help spread diverse texts around LFLs in the city. Read more about their boxes here, BTW!
And consider volunteering or donating books through United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg by visiting their website for volunteer opportunities or by bringing books straight to the boxes they sponsor, listed here.
Happy reading, Richmond!
Ashland
Take a short trip up I-95 to Hanover County’s quaint train town, and find these little gems while you’re there:
500 Myrtle St (Pufferbelly Park): This box is right in the middle of the play area and close to the cool skate park.
112 N Railroad Ave: Walk through the train station to the rails or catch this box if you’re stepping off the Amtrak to head into Ashland. It’s shaped like a railroad car, and it was so full when we visited. It’s right in the middle of all that downtown Ashland has to offer.
120 Hanover Ave (Refunkit): This eclectic store has the cutest robot book box out front. Quirky and fun!
Bon Air
The northwest edge of Chesterfield County has some great neighborhood boxes, including these:
8700 Sunview Ln: This box has a great bench nearby and the cutest literary direction signs. It’s dubbed the Bon Air Book Nook. There’s also an unregistered LFL that you will pass on the same road.
2700 Cherrytree Ln: This rustic-looking box was stocked with great titles when I last visited.
10418 Looking Glass Rd: This bright and sunshiny box is sure to put a smile on your face.
900 Elaine Ave: This box is clean, well-maintained, and easily accessible.
2421 Cromwell Rd: This steward seems committed to circulate some of the most popular titles, and we LOVE it.
2011 Deauville Rd: Kids and Harry Potter fans alike will love this box decked out in Gryffindor pride.
Broad Rock
Visit this tight-knit community in RVA’s Southside and this especially wonderful LFL:
Broad Rock Community Garden: This community garden had some great books for kids and adults alike when we visited, and it was a serene little spot to sit and enjoy this shared neighborhood space. Follow the garden on Instagram at @broadrock_communitygarden
Church Hill
A great blend of Richmond’s quirk and history, this walkable neighborhood seems to have a book nook everywhere!:
E Broad St & N 27th St: This box is on the corner of Riverbend Roastery. It’s one of the biggest LFLs I’ve seen, and that’s great because this spot is so popular. Reading and coffee? What’s better than that?
29th & E Grace St (Chimborazo Playground): Visit this box for a quick playground trip and then walk just a few blocks over to Libby Hill Park for a picnic and/or a reading session with some awesome RVA views.
420 N 32nd St: This box is one of the cutest dog-friendly ones with a “Fetch 1, Leave 1” box for sticks.
3017 M St: This bright and happy corner box is sure to make you smile. It had a great selection of books when we visited, and the steward’s garden and outdoor space POPS.
314 N 24th St: Just a block away from Proper Pie Co., this box has designs that are a nod to the first station next door.
3200 E Broad St (Mount Carmel Baptist Church): This box is a replica of the church complete with stained glass windows that glow from within at night. Amazing!
East End
There are so many stories to tell in the neighborhoods east of Church Hill, and these boxes are working to tell them!:
5306 Raleigh Rd: This box is so fun and eclectic, and the steward even covered the nearby stop sign with crocheted cats. A “pandemic project,” the steward wrote that this box “was built with love and an eye to the future.”
1812 National St: This box was designed by Richmond artist Keith Ramsey. The box’s steward wrote this on the LFL app’s map: “In the 1970s, the Fulton Urban Renewal Plan destroyed more than 800 homes, churches, and businesses. As with other victims of redlining, this neighborhood disappeared and promises of rebuilding fell short.”
101 W Beal St: The steward of this box noticed there weren’t many boxes out in Highland Springs, so they took action and made it happen! This is a double-box with one for kids and one for adults.
The Fan
This iconic, walkable neighborhood loves to book-share!:
2202 Parkwood Ave: This box is always stocked with amazing reads and is right across the street from Uptown Community Garden. Grab a coffee at Lamplighter nearby and make a lovely little trip out of it. Follow them on Instagram at @novelneighborrva.
1924 Floyd Ave: The Floyd-Meadow LFL prides itself on sharing diverse works. They have two boxes side by side with some powerful books. Check them out on Instagram at @floydmeadowlfl.
Floyd Ave: (Paradise Park): This pocket park is nestled in the middle of Grove Ave and Floyd Ave, in between Allen Ave and Vine St. Grab some takeout from Shyndigz or Goatocado, bring along some books to donate, and enjoy your visit at this unique spot on a nice day.
1607 Grove Ave: This box was perfect! It was clean with an amazing selection, and when we visited, the festive decorations were EVERYTHING.
2219 Park Ave: Right around the corner from Blue Habanero, 8½, and Scoop, you’ll find this cute box on a tree. For an extra box, take a short walk to Scuffletown Park nearby.
Park Ave & N Allen Ave: This is the coolest-looking LFL. It’s the quintessential RVA vibe.
13 Strawberry St: Residents on this street readily embrace the name. There are strawberry flags and even this strawberry-shaped book nook.
Forest Hill
This neighborhood is artsy, laid-back, and friendly. We love enjoying the outdoors near the river and always run into friendly people out and about:
3414 Semmes Ave: This box is near WPA Bakery. We got breakfast and coffee and sat right in front of this cute LFL while we enjoyed the sights on Semmes Ave. If you have kids in tow, you can also enjoy the LFL and playground right across the street at the Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts when school is not in session.
3062 Forest Hill Ave: The stewards at Oregano Books have a beautiful box, and they even encourage visitors to pick some of the oregano at the base of the library.
1016 W 46th St: This box is always very full and was built in dedication to a late family member of the stewards. We can’t think of a better way to keep one’s memory alive.
Swansboro Community Garden: This is a beautiful shared plot of land with a wonderful book selection! Check them out on Instagram at @swansborocommunitygarden
4304 Hillcrest Rd: This box has awesome mosaic stepping stones and is just a few blocks away from the two LFLs in Forest Hill Park.
Glen Allen
This neighborhood is huge, spanning close to Short Pump and all the way near the Hanover County line to the north. There are lots of LFLs in that space, but these are our favorites!:
5213 Rachel Lake Ln: Nestled in the back of a neighborhood, this box had a nice blend of books for all ages when we visited.
9613 Southmill Dr: This bright red box strives to stay stocked with diverse books that show a multitude of perspectives.
10089 Brook Rd (Intermission Beer Company): This box blends books and beer together. We love Intermission Beer. Head there the next time you want to check out one of the RVA area’s great breweries.
Jackson Ward
Right in the heart of the city, there aren’t a lot of LFLs, but this historic neighborhood has a beautiful one to share!:
119 W Leigh St: The Kiwanis Club of Richmond sponsors several LFL boxes in the city, and this double-box shows the wonderful care and attention they bring to the cause.
Lakeside
This Henrico neighborhood has its own vibe and a small-town feel:
2829 Kenwood Ave: This box is HUGE. With the bench and awning, it looks like a little bus stop for books.
7313 Alycia Ave: This box seems small at first, but it was so full of great reads!
7806 Topaz Rd: We loved this bright yellow box with an amazing selection. It’s clear the steward is a serious reader.
Mechanicsville
The eastern side of Hanover has cute boxes aplenty!:
7396 Penrith Dr: The art on this box is funky and cute.
9502 Chamberlayne Rd (The Local Cup): The regulars at this popular coffee spot swear by this place! It’s a Mechanicsville gem, and the LFL outside is enormous.
10127 Suzanne Dr: This box is just picture-perfect with amazing new and popular titles inside.
Midlothian
This bustling area has TONS of boxes, but these are our favorites! We are exploring more of this area right now, and there’s so much charm:
1420 Kingscross Rd: This box always makes sure there are books for all types and ages of readers, and they decorate with the seasons!
902 Dannyhill Ct: This purple box is also a great choice for readers of all ages. They try to feature banned and diverse reads as much as possible.
Museum District
There’s still a city-feel here, but it’s tight-knit and dotted with amazing spots that foster reading and culture:
3101 Patterson Ave (Black Hand Coffee Company): This community staple is a great spot for book-sharing and sitting on their patio to enjoy it with some coffee.
217 N Arthur Ashe Blvd: We loved this bright and beautiful box right across from the VMFA and dedicated to Deirdre Collins (1991 - 2020). Check them out on Instagram at @deedsreadsrva.
424 Roseneath Rd: The Alice in Wonderful theme of this LFL sets it apart. There’s something for all ages of readers and even our four-legged family members.
Near West End
These boxes at the western limits of Richmond proper are creative and always well-maintained:
6703 Patterson Ave: This decked-out Dr. Seuss box stands out and serves all ages with a whole lift-top bench full of books for young readers.
5100 W Franklin St: This box is easily accessible and had some great titles when we visited.
4213 Patterson Ave: Located on the side of this property on Sauer Ave, this box was full of diverse and banned titles when we visited. There were even butterflies flying all around the beautiful flowers at the base of the box.
4412 Bromley Ln: This box has a base of brick, which makes it easy to find and easy to visit. The selections are icing on the cake!
North Chesterfield
South of the city in the suburbs, these boxes are our favorite ones so far in this area:
9811 S Wagstaff Cir: This library is well-maintained and has a unique, but amazing, selection.
1701 Stone River Rd: This library in Stone Mill made me feel nice and cozy. It’s in a welcoming central spot and has books for all ages.
731 Greencastle Rd: This double-story box has one shelf for adults and one shelf for younger readers.
Northside
This neighborhood is a mecca for reading lovers just north of the city, where you’ll find lots of book nooks for the area’s walkers:
1307 Nottoway Ave: This box was like visiting a cozy bookish cottage in Bellevue. ALL the cute vibes. Follow them on Instagram at @nottowaylibrary.
2900 Seminary Ave: This is a well-loved box with bold, interesting titles and a steward who is an avid reader. Follow them on Instagram at @seminary.ave.lfl.
2603 Brook Rd: This box is family-friendly and eye-catching.
4407 Newport Dr: This box was decorated for Halloween when we visited, but there are also fairies, gnomes, and decorated bricks at the base. This is a local favorite for so many Northside families.
1400 Lorraine Ave: You’re sure to find a book for yourself at this box, and there’s a weather-proofed bin with extra selections or for you to drop some donations that won’t fit.
4300 Brook Rd: This corner box is in a perfect spot for stopping on a run or a walk to any of the many nearby neighborhood spots.
1104 Seminary Pl: This box is so special because there are some well-read mice hanging out at the top to greet you. Don’t worry, they’re cute!
Oak Grove
This small but mighty neighborhood is in Richmond’s Southside:
2408 Ingram Ave: This box’s steward has a special mission to provide books to the Oak Grove community, which does not always have easy access to public libraries. Consider donating books to this box if you’d like to help in this mission by communicating with the steward through Instagram at @ingramavelfl.
Scott’s Addition
Yes, there are even some book nooks in the heart of this bustling restaurant and brewery scene!:
W Marshall St & Altamont Ave: Visit this box on a fence the next time you’re strolling through Scott’s for a night out. There are tons of nearby cool spots to visit for food, drinks, and fun around this spot.
3200 W Leigh St (Ardent Craft Ales): Another box at a brewery! This is why we all love RVA.
West End
This area is sprawling, and there are so many good book boxes out here. These are the ones where we keep returning!:
Lullington Dr & Pleasant Run Dr: KIDS, REJOICE! This box is for kids only. Consider bringing books your kids have outgrown, and then drive a few short minutes to Tuckahoe Creek Park for a picnic and some wildlife scouting on a nice day.
Church Run Pkwy & Halbrook Ct: This box is a magical nod to far-away fictional places. It’s a great box for kids and adults alike.
2104 Fon Du Lac Rd: We stepped up to this box and transported to a magical little fairyland. This is a whimsical little treat for all!
1500 Lothbury Ln: Beyond books, this library has fun trinkets and seasonal treats! There’s always something for everyone here! Follow them on Instagram at @littlelibraryonlothburylane.
2793 Kennedy Rd: A nod to Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, this box looks like its own giving tree library, topped with a big book as its roof. This is a must-visit for readers of all ages!
3902 Longleaf Dr: The steward here has created a lovely little bookish place to visit, complete with a free picking at the flower garden in front of the LFL. Follow them on Instagram here at @longleafslittlelibrary.
Westover Hills
The tree-lined streets and homes right near the river are absolutely beautiful!:
Dorchester Rd & Bruton Rd: This corner box is humongous and features some fairies at the bottom! For adults and kids alike!
1707 Westover Hills Blvd (Tablespoons Bakery): This bakery strives to celebrate the disability community and teach the city more about the disability experience. Their LFL outside is devoted to kids, and their inside and outside patio are extremely family-friendly.
5101 Caledonia Rd: This purple box even has a picnic table where folks can sit to enjoy their new reads.
Woodland Heights
This riverside neighborhood south of the James is flat-out COOL:
29th & Porter St (Fonticello Park): A new butterfly garden was just added to the park right where the LFL stands in memory of Markiya Dickson. This LFL is right by the playground, too, so it’s very kid-friendly. Follow the park on Instagram at @fonticelloparkrva.
811 W 29th St: The “Wordland Heights” box has books, a seed library, and lots of dog-friendly extras. This box is popular for good reason!
500 Block W 20th St (Springhill Community Exchange): This is a community pantry, seed library, plant exchange, and LFL all in one! It’s a great communal spot for the Woodland Heights neighborhood. Follow them on Instagram at @springhillseedlibrary.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Audra Neagle is the brains behind @lflhunter_rva, an Instagram account she started for all the book lovers of Richmond. As a Richmond native, VCU graduate, high school English teacher in Henrico County, and mom of two under five, Audra strongly supports early exposure to reading and access to reading materials, and she uses her social media platform to emphasize that passion.
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