Little Free Library Eligibility? (5 Examples)

[PhoenixGames1]

In this post, I will submit a few pictures of some Little Free Libraries in my area. I would like to get feedback from the community to see if they’re worth nominating. I also found this post, and took it into account for which LFL’s I presented to you all; Little Free Libraries (there were even two LFL’s in my area that were a bit too close to the private home they were by, in which I chose to not include those in this post)

#1

#1 Supporting Image

#1: I am suspecting that the LFL pictured above would be worth nominating for a couple main reasons. The first is that the LFL is not down the driveway of the local home, making it not obstruct that driveway; it is accessible safely via a public sidewalk; and the LFL itself stands far away from the home that it is in front of. There’s also the argument that the first few feet of property can be considered city-owned property. (Also I apologize that the supporting picture is a bit blurry - I will likely need to take a better one!)

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#2

#2 Supporting Image

#2: I am suspecting this LFL will be acceptable for similar reasons. Interacting with this LFL wouldn’t obstruct any driveway or walkway; it’s accessible from a public street/sidewalk; the LFL is far away from the private residence that may be near it.

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#3

#3 Supporting Image

#3: This one, I’m not too confident with since it’s a little bit awkwardly between two bushes. Although it’s again located on a public and safe sidewalk and road, and it doesn’t at all obstruct any private property, it’s a tad hidden. Hopefully this one would still be acceptable since it’s not in an unsafe or obscene location haha. Also, the candy cane decorations are likely to be taken down after Christmas. If this LFL is in an acceptable location, should I wait until the owner removes the candy canes?

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#4

#4 Supporting Image

#4: This one, I think can be acceptable, similar to #1 and #2 in that it’s a great distance from any private property, doesn’t obstruct any driveway or walkway, and is available on a public sidewalk. This one has the bonus of being extra unique from other LFL’s!

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#5

#5 Supporting Image

#5: I’m sorry for sounding like a broken record, but I feel like the same things apply here. It’s particularly far away from the private residence nearest to it, it’s safe and accessible from a public sidewalk, and it doesn’t obstruct the nearest driveway and walkway. This one is also unique due to it’s large size!

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Overall, I am looking for some outside opinions since I am still somewhat new to nominating Wayspots. Hopefully these LFL’s in my area don’t disappoint! Thank you so much for those who took the time to look through this post! I’m sorry it was so long, but thank you!

[cyndiepooh]

From the photos you have shared, all of these appear to me to be on the homeowner side of the sidewalk, and would definitely be ineligible as SFPRP (single family private residential property).

The gray area is when the LFL is on the street side of a sidewalk. Some still consider that area SFPRP but others say it is public.

[elijustrying]

I agree with @cyndiepooh
These all appear to be on single family private residential property - from the photos provided.

It doesn’t matter that to interact with it you can stand on the pavement. The key is that it is on the residential land.
You need to look at this to be clear what counts as SFPRP.

If you are wanting help to find suitable objects in your area we will be happy to help.

[Leedle95]

1-5 all appear ineligible as they are on single family private residential property.

[PhoenixGames1]

Darn that’s unfortunate that they are all considered ineligible, but I understand now. I don’t think I was aware of the qualities of the SFPRP rule - I think I interpreted as “as long as it’s far from the house, and not next to their living room window” lol. Thank you, and thank you to cyndiepooh, for the clarifications!

[Gendgi]

I like to think first, is the object itself on a private residential location? Regardless of if anyone can “technically” access it.

[nexushoratio]

I was having a discussion about this with another local player recently, and they asked for a pointer to the rough guideline we seem to use:

House side of sidewalk, consider private property.
Treelawn/street side of sidewalk, public property.

But, I couldn’t find that. I was wondering if it was listed on the previous previous forum, or just what we all use.

Anyone with a link to that particular guidance?

[cyndiepooh]

Niantic has been clear that location is important, but won’t be specific. Even in the clarification, it only says

@NianticTintino

If a LFL is placed on eligible property in such a way that any visitors may obstruct the entrance, may encourage trespassing, or may present danger from nearby traffic, they should be considered ineligible.

The SFPRP clarification explains:

@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.

The “side of the sidewalk” issue is from fellow explorers making a case that in their area, this is public property. There have been cases where the appeals reviewers will refuse to remove LFL Wayspots on the street side of the sidewalk. (If I can find an example, I will link it.) But there is no statement by Niantic as far as I am aware that says "Street side of sidewalk in front of house = Good.

Edit: found the topic I was thinking of

Appealing the Removal of a Waystop/Pokestop

When submitting a Wayspot Appeal, make sure to include as much of the following information as possible: Wayspot Title: Location (lat/lon): City: Los Angeles Country: USA Additional Information (if any): This waystop/pokestop was improperly removed from this location (or nearby—I can’t remember the exact coordinates but I am including the coordinates for the real-life structure). I’m not sure why it was removed because it is an eligible wayspot. It has been stated by Niantic that Little Free…

Edit again to feature this comment:

Appealing the Removal of a Waystop/Pokestop

A few weeks ago when i went through a bunch of old rejected title edits and appealed them, I appealed a large number of “Little Free Library” wayspots. Every single one that was within a similar grass strip between sidewalk and street was approved, but all the ones that were “inside” the sidewalk the team retired rather than renaming. This seems like pretty clear evidence of what the criteria is at this point so this particular wayspot should be restored. Ideally the team would be more transpar…

[Gendgi]

@nexushoratio

Treelawn/street side of sidewalk, public property.

Cyndie’s post above covers most of it. I will add that if you keep digging, you’ll find examples both ways on how Niantic handles appeals, too. They shouldn’t be taken as “criteria” but are often all we have for insight.

I’m not going to dig up every assessor page for a review I find, but I have used those responses to report locally found LFLs that are on prp or to check if an area is actually a park or a school.

[nexushoratio]

Yeah, those were the ones I found, too.

Thanks!