This may be the age of the e-book, but it’s also the age of the mini lending library.

Shingle-topped book cabinets have sprung up in front of houses, restaurants, offices and even full-sized actual libraries in recent years. Looking kind of like large birdhouses, they hold books that readers can take, borrow or trade.

“People are excited about it because it encourages kids to read,” said Herb Lemcool. He and his wife, Barb, have a mini library in front of their home.

In fact, encouraging kids to read is exactly what Herb’s late mother, Josephine Lemcool, wanted. Herb and Barb had more than 20 mini libraries built and stocked with books around Traverse City in honor of her.

The philosophy of the libraries? “Help yourself. It’s your library,” Herb says.

The Lemcools enlisted the help of the Boy Scouts and prisoners at Pugsley Correctional Facility to build them, with donations from several people and organizations, including Cherryland Electric Cooperative. They offered them to homeowners, businesses and organizations.

The Lemcools made their mini library look like Snoopy’s doghouse, with the “Peanuts” canine sleeping on top of it. Heartwarming scenes sometimes play out in front of their house because of it.

“We saw a boy out there on the bench reading to his little sister,” Herb says. “When he was done, she put the book back, gave him a kiss and hug and they got on their bikes and rode away.”

Some show their appreciation in other ways, says Barb.

“We found money in an envelope once, saying ‘Keep up the good work.’ We bought more books with it,” she says.

The Lemcools stock only children’s books in their lending library, though others are open to all kinds of Westerns, romances, World War II novels—just good reads—that may appeal to all ages.

The Carpenters in Kingsley had seen the miniature libraries and wanted to put one up in their front yard. Tom Carpenter made the library and his wife, Ann, and their children regularly leave books to share. Sometimes, they find something they want to read and bring it inside.

Nine-year-old Logan Carpenter keeps track of its contents. He’s found a lot of fascinating books that way.

“One time I found a book on how you act nice so your children will be nice. I gave it to my mom,” he say mischievously.

Ann Carpenter says they get the books from their own collection, from donations by the Kingsley Branc Library down the street, or other sales and sources. Some readers contribute books, as well.

“Teen books and Nora Roberts are very popular,” Ann says. “I want to make sure it’s very family friendly.”

She says the library gets a lot of traffic. “It’s starting to be kind of a landmark in the neighborhood.”

An organization dedicated to spreading these street-side lending libraries throughout the country is at littlefreelibrary.org.