A Little Library

During the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, all public libraries were closed and that was a serious issue for reading addicts... like me. Luckily, I had several unread books on my bookshelves and managed to weather the worst of the storm. I did cave in May and bought some e-book novels... old favourites that I know I will re-read over and over again.

But the thing is... I completely forgot about our community Little Libraries. An idea first developed in the 1990s in Germany, community libraries have taken off in North America. In Canada, for example, there is some variation of little libraries, lending libraries and/or book exchanges in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg... and many smaller communities!

The idea is quite simple... build a weatherproof bookcase and then stock it with some books. I came across a site which had all sorts of ideas for repurposing different items and converting them into a bookcase/book shelter: mailboxes, microwaves, bar fridges, and old newspaper vending machines (brilliant!).

Community members can come and borrow a book (no fees, no sign-out) and then return that book when they've finished, or place a new book in the Little Library. It works. And it's immensely popular. Not to mention, it has some serious benefits:

• Develop community and pride in community especially if a group of people are involved;
• Bring us closer together as many of us become more isolated through technology;
• Encourage us to walk around the neighbourhood which in turn promotes health and even safety;
• Most importantly they promote literacy and the love of reading and books.

What's not to like about community libraries? Absolutely nothing... they are a win-win-win initiative and my only regret is that we don't have one in our neighbourhood. The Little Libraries website for Nanaimo has an email address to which one can write and request a Little Library... and... I wonder... It would be a Small Step to building some community spirit if we were to host one... Are there any downsides?

Little Library arson victim

Well... a few of the Little Libraries were arson victims... and this is not unique to our community. Community lending libraries and/or book exchanges in Vancouver have also been vandalized in recent years. But... is that any reason not to host one?

It seems, however, that one organization, Little Free Libraries, is creating quite a stir. A librarian in Toronto wrote a critique of the non-profit organization in the Journal of Radical Librarianship. Huh... she has a few bones to pick with that specific organization... not the book exchanges themselves. OK, well that's good to know. Although the librarian did note that the selection in most little libraries is quite pathetic... like Dummies Guide to Windows 2000.

Huh... maybe I should do some research and scope out a few little libraries in our community and see what is actually on the shelves. Although... I guess it's like anything... they need maintenance and someone to pull out the Windows 2000 books... On the other hand, the Vancouver Island Regional Library is a sponsor of our Little Libraries... so it can't be all bad.

We'll see how it shakes out. I've taken one Small Step and sent an email to our local Little Libraries and asked if they are building any during the time of Covid-19... stay tuned for updates...