It’s no secret that I am a book lovin’ gal.
I sit on the Waterloo Public Library Board, I buy books, I borrow books and I most certainly read and talk about books.
And now me and my family can share our love of books with our neighbourhood. Our little free library is up and open for browsers and borrowers.
I’m pretty pumped.
Before we installed it in the front yard, I spent considerable time thinking about where the right spot would be. We don’t have a sidewalk so it had to be easy to spot from the street and I had to be able to see people approach it from my living room or kitchen. Not so much so I could stare, but delight in the fact it had visitors. And alert me to the fact I might want to check on the status of the books. Okay a little bit of staring but not in a creepy way.
It’s been up a few weeks and it’s doing exactly what it is supposed to do: people are talking to us about the library (neighbours who haven’t chatted with us much before), books are leaving the library, books are arriving at the library – well only two but that is a start, and people are thinking and talking about books, their importance and the idea of sharing with each other.
At the risk of sounding corny, this is so cool.
And my little guy is rather excited about the little library too. He checks it every afternoon to see if books have left or new ones have been been added and is extremely mindful that there be enough kid books to make it interesting to the little people in the neighbourhood. Curating content at age 5 – way to make a momma proud.
CBC KW has created a definitive map of all the little free libraries in the region. We hope to get added soon.
And thanks to the Little Libraries of KW for organizing a community build at Menno Martin Contractor and creating a culture of #librarylove in the region.
Happy reading, wherever you find your books.
Have you visited a little library? What are your first impressions? What do you think if you don’t care for the books inside?
8 thoughts on “Our little library”
Trent Bauman
I love how you finished the roof with the hardwood ridge. It almost looks like an axe handle or something like that. The red colour is very catching too. We love seeing pictures on how everyone puts the finishing touches on their libraries.
Red leather booth
Thanks Trent. It is a broom handle on the top. My husband was going for a Snoopy dog house kind of effect – glad you like it too.
Ann Andrusyszyn
Love that it looks like the Red Leather Booth! 🙂
#LibraryLove is fantastic in all its shapes and forms, and I think the Little Libraries of KW is very special. I’m currently in a downtown apartment and keep trying to think about how I could have a Little Library myself, but for now I walk in my area to occasionally borrow and add books in the Little Libraries of others. There’s even one near me that sometimes has art in it aswell as books!
Great to see you are in the Little Libraries of KW.
Red leather booth
Thanks for your comment Ann – I guess I am really drawn to the colour red!
Stumbling across a little library always delivers a shot of joy in me and a thrill of finding something almost secret. I am glad you have access to some near your home – and hope you find a way to have your own one day. Thanks for reading the blog.
Jill Doble
Love this little library idea! So neighbourly! J Date: Sun, 2 Nov 2014 21:17:35 +0000 To: doblejill@hotmail.com
Red leather booth
Thanks Jill. Maybe you can see one on your lawn?
Jude
love in the kitchen
love this!
Red leather booth
Thanks so much. We love it too!