Free Library submissions getting rejected

[hairymonsters]

Two out of three little free library submissions I have added have been rejected because they are ‘on private property’. The libraries are in front of private property, but they are all accessible and in reach from a public sidewalk. I see tons of similar free library spots around town, so it’s not clear to me why they would get rejected. Do I just keep submitting more and hope some of them get through?

[LetsRollGirl]

Hello and welcome to the forum @hairymonsters

Little Free Libraries are great nominations in my opinion. But they can be tricky when in front of a single family home. Niantic recently put together some clarifications about them:

Little Free Libraries

Little Free Libraries (LFL) can be eligible for nomination, but their location is critical to whether they can be accepted. Little Free Libraries with safe access on sidewalks outside of apartment buildings or on municipal or communal property are eligible. Those on single-family private residential properties (SFPRP) are ineligible. [image] :+1:The LFL above is a good example of an eligible Waypoint. It is on public property and is well-maintained. It faces the sidewalk, does not block acces…

I tend to nominate ones in front of stores or larger residences (apartment buildings or condominiums). But I know it’s hard when you see them already accepted in the neighborhood. Sometimes things slip through.

Hope this helps explain what’s happening!

[cyndiepooh]

Welcome to the forum!

This issue confuses a lot of explorers, so these clarifications have been made:

Little Free Libraries

Little Free Libraries (LFL) can be eligible for nomination, but their location is critical to whether they can be accepted. Little Free Libraries with safe access on sidewalks outside of apartment buildings or on municipal or communal property are eligible. Those on single-family private residential properties (SFPRP) are ineligible. [image] :+1:The LFL above is a good example of an eligible Waypoint. It is on public property and is well-maintained. It faces the sidewalk, does not block acces…

Private Residences, Farmland & K-12

Single-family private residential properties (SFPRP), farms, and K-12 (schools or facilities primarily focused for persons under 18 years of age) are ineligible. This includes the outer facing facade, fence of these locations, and property boundaries. Objects in or upon apartment blocks, gated communities, or their shared spaces may be eligible assuming they otherwise meet criteria and are intended to be accessed by a community, even if not everyone. Communal spaces have the potential to be eli…

Basically, it is not enough to be able to touch it from the sidewalk, it can’t be on SFPRP, even on the fence on the edge.

[hairymonsters]

Ah, I see, thank you! Thats really unfortunate that being in front of sfprp make them ineligible since the homeowner is clearly inviting people to stop in front of their home and use the library. Hopefully some day they will revisit that. Does this also apply to locations that are in public alleys behind SFPRP’s?

[cyndiepooh]

@hairymonsters

the homeowner is clearly inviting people to stop in front of their home and use the library

But the homeowner is not inviting a raid train to stop and battle, and the next homeowner may not want the visitors. There was a lawsuit in the early days of Pokemon Go from angry property owners, and the SFPRP rule is non-negotiable.

If technically it is not on their property, but is still safe for pedestrian access, then it can be considered. But if I start using the word “techincally” then I don’t personally submit it. An annoyed property owner can have the location removed if it is affecting them.

[DTrain2002]

This is the part of the PRP clarification I like to highlight:

@NianticTintino

**Easements, “right-of-ways,” and sidewalks are too broad to make a global statement on, but the guidance is the same as above - if it is part of a private residence, it is ineligible.

Basically, if it seems like it’s on PRP, it’s ineligible. So, for instance, even if there is a mural on a back fence or garage in the alley but it’s part of PRP, it’s ineligible. Alleys are also typically meant for vehicle traffic in most residential areas, and that could possibly be seen as an unsafe pedestrian area.

[hairymonsters]

That makes sense, thanks!