Hi Neighbour,
What does it take to build and maintain a Sharing Library in your neighbourhood? The Executive Committee of the Grand Boulevard Residents Association have been thinking about erecting one this Spring. There are a few around North Vancouver, but they’re a little hard to find. We’d love to hear from you, if you know of one and can share the contact information to those who set it up. I saw one, when I was taking a walk on Spruce Street, near 15th Avenue in Vancouver. I spent about 15 minutes looking at the books and finally decided on one which turned out to be so refreshing. But more appealing was the notion that people were coming together over a book or sometimes a puzzle. It’s a wonderful way to connect with our neighbours, especially during times of social distancing.
My friend, Evonne, told me about her Sharing Library, and how she and a neighbour made it happen in the 300-Block of East 23rd Street, North Vancouver.
“In 2018 a few neighbours and I discussed the possibility of putting in a sharing library on our block. Both my immediate neighbour and I volunteered our front yards to have the little library on it. In the end we agreed to put it right between our properties. We put in a call and an email to the City Hall, and told them of our plans for the library structure. We wanted to have their permission to have the structure put 2 feet away from the sidewalk. They gave their approval and then we started to build it. The front door of our little library was kindly donated by the Urban Repurpose store in North Vancouver (http://www.urbanrepurpose.ca). Tom Riessner, the owner of Urban Repurpose, found a nice wood cabinet door that we were able to repurpose for our little library.
“We applied for a Neighbourhood Small Grant (max. $500) and spent most of it on the building materials and also bought ladybugs and mason bees with the funds too. We did a little educational part on that, for kids. We gave estimates on what we thought it would take to build it and told them that we would put in the time and energy and build it ourselves. On average, for material costs, it may be around $250-300, depending on the size.
“Initially, everyone offered to donate books. We were not sure as to how we would manage to keep the little library full of books, year round, but, from stories in other neighbourhoods that had one, that did not seem to be an issue. Now, two years later, we have never had to worry about it! The little sharing library seems to have so many visitors that bring in books weekly, that nobody has had to oversee re-stocking it.
“We have had many wonderful stories of children who visit the library weekly, to some who visit the library daily! One family makes it a weekly walking destination with their two children, and the children look forward to their weekly visit.”
I’ve attached a few photos of some sharing libraries in the City. Here’s the link, if you’d like to apply for a Responsive Neighbourhood Small Grant, in North Vancouver. The deadline to apply is Sept.9, depending on availability.
Happy reading!
Fiona
