Dallas Neighbors Puzzled by Disappearing Little Free Libraries

Entire boxes of books are vanishing overnight from community book-sharing boxes across North Oak Cliff.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Residents in the North Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas are reporting that their Little Free Libraries, community book-sharing boxes, are being mysteriously emptied overnight. Neighbors say entire collections of books are disappearing, leaving the structures completely bare. While some suspect the books are being stolen to be resold, police say taking from a Little Free Library is typically not a crime, though damaging the structures could qualify as one.

Why it matters

Little Free Libraries are a popular community initiative aimed at promoting literacy and a sense of neighborhood. The disappearance of books from these shared resources is puzzling and frustrating for residents who see them as a way to foster reading and connection. The situation raises questions about the purpose and legality of these book-sharing boxes.

The details

Residents like Rob Shearer and Dottie Dunnam say their Little Free Libraries have been cleared out multiple times in recent months, with all the books vanishing overnight. Neighbors have been comparing experiences on social media and realize this is happening to several libraries across the North Oak Cliff area. While some speculate the books are being stolen to be resold, police say taking from a Little Free Library is usually not a crime, unless the structure itself is damaged.

  • In the past month, Shearer's library has been cleared out twice.
  • Dunnam's library has been targeted several times over the years.

The players

Rob Shearer

A North Oak Cliff resident whose Little Free Library has been cleared out twice in the past month.

Dottie Dunnam

A resident of the Kessler neighborhood whose Little Free Library has been targeted several times over the years.

Dallas Police

Authorities who say taking books from a Little Free Library is typically not a crime, though damaging the structures could qualify as one.

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What they’re saying

“We couldn't figure out where they went the first time. Sometime in the middle of the night, it appears somebody comes by and takes all the books out of the library and leaves it completely empty.”

— Rob Shearer, North Oak Cliff resident (cbsnews.com)

“I think it's inexcusable behavior on the part of the person whose kind of misses the point of promoting neighborhood literacy, which is when I think the little free libraries do.”

— Dottie Dunnam, Kessler neighborhood resident (cbsnews.com)

“In my heart, it feels like it's stealing, but in my mind, I know it says free library?”

— Dottie Dunnam, Kessler neighborhood resident (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Police have encouraged residents to document any suspicious activity, save video footage, and file reports through 911 or 311 if they believe a crime is being committed.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the complex nature of Little Free Libraries, which are intended to promote community and literacy, but exist in a legal gray area. While residents are frustrated by the disappearance of books, the situation raises questions about the purpose and legality of these shared resources.