By Sean Delaney
Studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books and encouraging a love of reading.
Perhaps you have noticed recently, what might look like giant birdhouses with books, but are actually mini-libraries in a box, on a post, in a local park (check out the library in Strathburn Park) or perhaps on your neighbours lawn? At the Little Free Library nonprofit, we’re working to fill book deserts and grant libraries to underserved communities through our Impact Library Program and other initiatives.
Community activist Kara King has recently installed a library box on her lawn.
“I saw Little Free Libraries many years ago in the Beaches and loved the idea. I’ve always been an avid reader and have a lot of books. When I went on a southern summer road trip to some southern US states in 2019, I planned which ones to stop at along the way and visited them.
“I discovered there were none in our area and knew we needed one.”
So, King’s husband decided to gift a library box to Kara for Christmas, and Verobeach Little Free Library was finally installed on March 13, 2021.
“I’ve been working from home these past 20 months (King teaches adults ESL), but my creative and social outlet is the library. My pandemic project then became to fill the library box with books based on themes and also decorate it according to the seasons. It brings me a lot of joy.”
There was an instant of positive response from the community. The first patron was an immediate neighbour King hadn’t met before. She emailed so excitedly about the library. The two have been regularly in touch now.
“I continue to be touched and impressed with the many books people have left these past nine months,” King said. “I’ve met so many neighbours and their dogs, not only at the library, but also while walking in the neighbourhood and on the Humber Trail. They stop to ask questions about how it works, chat about books and thank me for doing this for the neighbourhood. (It’s run based on the Little Free Library organization mandate of take a book, leave a book.) On Halloween, trick-or-treaters were told to check out the other treats that were left in the library (Halloween toys, pencils, erasers, stickers), and all of the kids’ Halloween books were taken that night.”
An artistic neighbor has even started leaving beautifully painted rocks, so happening too is take a rock, leave a rock.
Patrons can look out for other things that will be left in the library starting next month.
It turns out that something good has come from this pandemic. Neighbors are getting to know each other, being friendly and social where they weren’t before, and connecting through a little, big thing, books.
If you or your family require some new reading materials, please feel free to drop by 246 Verobeach Blvd, day or night.
The library is always open.
* Registered with www.Littlefreelibrary.org. Verobeach Little Free Library is on registered and on Google maps, and even received a great review.