Free Libraries

Free libraries have been cropping up in more and more communities.  What is a free library?  It’s a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange.   Free libraries come in many shapes and sizes, but the most common version is a small wooden box of books.  Anyone may take a book or bring a book to share.

Amongst my favourite free libraries are the book trees in Renfrew County where I grew up.  Free Community Book Trees are currently located in Petawawa, Killaloe, Arnprior, Pembroke, Cobden, and in Bonnechere Ontario Provincial Park.  In an area where forestry was a major industry, it is appropriate that already fallen trees from local forests are used.  There’s a Facebook page with photos of the various book trees:  https://www.facebook.com/TheBookTreeRC/. 

The Bonnechere Park tree is unique as it is the first inside a provincial park. Made out of a massive 100-year-old white pine that fell during a wind storm two years ago, this Book Tree is crowned with an authentic Pointer Boat (http://www.thedailyobserver.ca/2014/08/24/book-tree-launched-at-bonnechere-park). 

When visiting a community, why not hunt out the free libraries.  The Globe and Mail even did a feature article on some free libraries in Toronto:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/free-libraries-in-toronto/article33979511/?click=sf_globe.  There’s even an organization which can help you find these in your travels:  https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap/.

If you would like to build a free library where you live, you can find advice here:  https://littlefreelibrary.org/start/.   And check out the tips from someone who has a free library:  http://bookriot.com/2014/03/24/5-tips-running-little-free-library/.