The Sidewalk Joy app does not collect or share any personal information. It collects data about which spots are viewed and favorited but it’s not connected to any person’s identity.

I have lots of tips about getting started with your own Sidewalk Joy spot on my blog! Here are a few blogs you may find helpful:

• How to make a Sidewalk Joy spot

• How to get the Sidewalk Joy movement going in your area

• Weatherproofing Your Sidewalk Joy Spot

and there are many more!

Just fill out the form on the Get Added page! That gives me all the info I need to add ya!

To make any changes to your spot on the map, just email me! You can use the contact form on this website or send me a message at PDXDinorama (at) gmail.

Yes! The worldwide Sidewalk Joy map is a free resource and it does not cost anything to use it or be added to the map.

If you’d like to support my work both as an artist and as the map curator, I’m on Buy Me a Coffee and I very much appreciate any donations!

First off, I LOVE book swaps and Little Free Libraries! There are literally thousands in Portland, where this project started. And to clarify, installations that have a book swap component AND something else (rotating art installation or exchange) are totally welcome on the Sidewalk Joy Map! One of the main reasons that Little Free Libraries with only a book swap component are not included on the map is because the Little Free Library organization already has a robust (over 200,000) map of the traditional book swaps worldwide. The Sidewalk Joy movement is for all the alternative exchanges, libraries, and art installations out there (plus little libraries that trade books AND something else!).

A great way to be involved in the movement is to visit the already-existing spots! Share about them, make swaps at them, leave flyers about the movement with installations not yet on the map, etc. Many spots like having folks who regularly check on and help maintain these spaces. You can also help by building or sponsoring a spot if you have the time and resources, even if you can’t host one.

Definitely stay tuned. The SIdewalk Joy project is gaining momentum and I’m sometimes getting up to 30 submission per day so something very well may pop up near you soon! Also, if your area is really lacking in this, it may be a sign that you could be the one to bring it to your area! Check my blog for tips on getting started and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Yes, they’re tracked on the worldwide Sidewalk Joy Map!

Both the worldwide and the PDX Sidewalk Joy Maps are run by Rachael Harms Mahlandt (artist name: @PDXDinorama).

I can’t give legal advice but I shared my knowledge in a blog post here!

Don’t forget to call before you dig (if you’re setting a post).

As of October2026, there are over 2,800 spots on the worldwide Sidewalk Joy Map!

Don’t worry! There are so many ways to create a Sidewalk Joy spot that don’t involve woodworking or heavy tools! Many Trinket Swaps can be made with repurposed junction boxes and I’ve seen a comic swap made out of an old ballot box, a seed library made from an old lantern, a toy swap out of a silverware tray and more!

Also there are organizations making kits for Plant Libraries, Toy Car Swaps, and I’m even creating a kit for Mug Exchanges!

And of course, you could always get a Little Free Library kit and repurpose it!

If you’d like to support me creating more Sidewalk Joy, managing the map, sharing craft and Sidewalk Joy tutorials, and more, please consider donating on Buy Me a Coffee. And thank you!! Your support means the world.