Little Free Libraries Now Allowed in Whitefish Bay

Whitefish Bay officials reversed course Monday night and decided to allow Little Free Libraries in the front yards of Whitefish Bay homes.

Trustees caught some media flak and local criticism in November when they decided to enforce an existing structure ordinance and not allow the miniature book depots in front yards. 

With an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 of the structures across the world, Whitefish Bay was the first known municipality to effectively ban the structures, which are designed to catch the interest of people walking on the sidewalk.

Trustees first came upon the issue last year after Avi and Dannette Lank asked the village building inspector for permission to build one in celebration of their 39th anniversary.

After grappling with possible ordinance revisions, trustees found that regulating the size, color and number of Little Free Libraries became a "hornet's nest" and decided instead to simply enforce the existing ordinance that outlaws any front-yard structures.

In doing so, the village asked Christ Church of Whitefish Bay to remove the Little Free Library it had erected four months earlier.

The church took its structure down the following month, and had been working to reinstall it as a temporary structure – which is allowable under village ordinances. Rev. Seth Dietrich said he was disappointed that his church was asked to take the structure down, but was happy to hear that they can bring their library back to Lake Drive.

“My thought all along was that it was legitimate to have questions about what could be put in the libraries, how big they could be or the number that might pop up on a given block,” he said. “I just thought they were questions that could have been answered by talking to other villages that allow them. I never thought it would be that hard to come up with a few regulations.”

Legalizing libraries

Trustee Richard Foster was the only trustee to oppose the regulation of Little Free Libraries in November, and after receiving some emails from residents, decided to resurrect the issue on Monday night's agenda.

He said it would be easier to turn a blind eye to the structures, as regulating the size, color and number of Little Free Libraries can be a difficult business.

"Ladies and gents, that path leads to madness, because the number of problems that can attach themselves to (Little Free Libraries) is limited only by the power of our imaginations," he said in a letter to fellow trustees. " Somebody might festoon a (Little Free Library) with color photos of Osama bin Laden; somebody might build one 50 feet high; somebody might bathe one in flashing green lights. Etcetera."

Neighboring Shorewood has a similar structure ordinance, but has not taken any enforcement action against the two Little Free Libraries that have sprouted up within its borders.

With input from Village Manager Patrick DeGrave, Foster proposed a set of regulations that would allow the structures with minimal headaches for village employees. 

The three restrictions require Little Free Libraries to be stuck on top of a pole in the ground, be no larger than three feet by three feet by three feet and be planted between the front sidewalk and the house.

Without any discussion, the board unanimously agreed to the proposed change, which will eventually be added to the village ordinance books.

Turning the page

After hearing of the board's action, Dietrich said he's glad the church will be able to resurrect its Little Free Library.

“It seems to me like a very common sense approach,” Dietrich said. “I’m glad the village is taking the risk to allow creative expression and sharing of knowledge. It’s a good day for the village.” 

With the board's approval, the Lanks are already looking forward to getting a Little Free Library erected before their 40th anniversary on June 23. A Little Free Library seems a natural anniversary gift for Dannette, a former librarian, and Avi, a former newspaper editor.

Dannette said she believes Little Free Libraries seem like a perfect addition to the pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods of Whitefish Bay.

"One of the reasons we came here was the people walking on sidewalks. We love the interaction that happens when people actually walk instead of take their car places," Dannette said. "Little Free Libraries give people a reason to stop and exchange things they love: books. It seemed like a really good way to build a sense of community."