Words & Photos Shelley Tice
Here’s a fun way to make your next walk exciting enough that even your family asks to join in! It’s also a great way to explore a new neighbourhood. I went in search of the Little Free Libraries that I see everywhere when I’m out and about on the Saanich Peninsula. Since Sidney is already known as a book town, it seemed like a great place to see what’s out there.
I went on a couple of different walks, one with my daughter, who was loaded down with a large bag of books to donate. She searched for the perfect book, as we made our way around Deep Cove and came across six Little Free Libraries and a toy exchange, that was closed for the season. We each found a new book to cozy up with this winter.
Next, I set off with a friend to explore the Ardmore area; here I came across so much more than libraries. A unique puzzle exchange and a “thought spot” to leave quotes and rocky road words were just a couple of the creative adaptations we found in addition to books. My last walk was around Sidney, where I found four Little Free Libraries. These held books, magazines and even the odd game or movie.
I had so much fun adding to the libraries and was surprised by all the interesting things inside – you truly never know what you might find. They were all incredibly unique, both in terms of their content and design. My favourite was a creative library modelled after the house it sat in front of, with a note inside that it was made from a recycled pallet. If reading more books is on your list for 2025, then make sure to find a Little Free Library near you or start one of your own.
Things to Note
- Take a book and share a book, if you are able
- Be respectful of people’s property
- Check out www.littlefreelibrary.org to learn how to build your own Little Free Library and use their map to find libraries in your area
- 98% of people say their neighbourhood feels like a friendlier place because of a Little Free Library and 72% of hosts have met more neighbours because of their library
- Not all Little Free Libraries are registered online, so get out and find a new one near you
