Lilliput Library boxes have sprouted across Otago in recent years and about 325 libraries are now in use, 200 of which are in Dunedin.
Founder Ruth Arnison said she had no idea how popular the project would get when she first started in 2015.
The project started when her son sent her a photo of a large community bookcase in Melbourne and she wondered if something similar could work here.
She had been worried about being able to get 10 people to sign up and be part of it, Mrs Arnison said.
She never thought hundreds would want one outside their home.
There were even some in Australia and Stewart Island, she said.
The library boxes had increased in number since the Covid-19 pandemic started, as many people had more time to dedicate to a home project.
People could decorate their library however they liked, making it a good time-killer while at home, she said.
She was unsure if they would continue to prove as popular now the lockdowns were over.
Keeping the project running took a bit of work, as she never wanted a library to be out of stock.
She had a room in her home dedicated to spare books, which she sent out to those whose libraries were low.
Providing access to books was great, but what she really loved about it was how it connected people.
She had heard of people making friends at the libraries, or how some made it a reason to get out of the house.
It had been a rewarding project since the start, she said.
