Libraries are usually big, with rows and rows of books, magazines and other materials.
But there are other smaller libraries in Prince George that bring the community together.
Little Free Library is a free book exchange where you "take a book, and return a book." The reading initiative has spread worldwide; there are currently 75,000 registered Little Free Library book-sharing boxes in 88 countries.
The most popular design you'll see is a small wooden box, in many different colours and sizes.
Little Free Libraries began in 2009, when founder Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin built a model of a one-room schoolhouse. It was a tribute to his mom, who was a teacher and loved to read.
UW-Madison's Rick Brooks saw the project while the two were discussing potential social enterprises. Both of them saw a chance to achieve goals for common good.
They were inspired by community gift-sharing networks such as "take a book, leave a book" collections they would see in public spaces.
According to the company's website, Bol and Brooks were mainly inspired by a philanthropist named Andrew Carnegie, who set a goal to fund the creation of 2,508 public libraries, which were free, across the English-speaking world.
The pair set their own goal: to surpass 2,508 Little Free Libraries by the end of 2013. They would end up surpassing their goal much earlier, in August of 2012.
The first official library was set up outside of Hudson, Wisconsin in 2010 and quickly caught on. By the end of 2011, there were nearly 400 libraries. A year later, there were a whopping 4,000 libraries.
Sadly, in October 2018, Bol passed away from complications from pancreatic cancer. Even in his last days, he still had his passion for Little Free Libraries.
"I really believe in a Little Free Library on every block and a book in every hand. I believe people can fix their neighborhoods, fix their communities, develop systems of sharing, learn from each other, and see that they have a better place on this planet to live," reads a write-up on the website.
Prince George has multiple libraries around the city. There are six locations:
- Charter #42471 - Olga Morrow - 4885 Crest Rd.
- Charter #65476 - EnhancePG - 3800 Rainbow Dr.
- Chater #65475 - EnhancePG - Address unavailable. Postal code: V2N 2E3
- Charter #43411 - Jessica Bonin - 2388 McBride Cres.
- Charter #75153 - North Blackburn Little Free Library - 353 North Blackburn Rd.
- Charter #19264 - Fiona Miller - 6136 Crown Dr.
PG resident and teacher Jessica Bonin started her library outside of her home in the summer of 2016. She says she had a celebration to launch hers, and neighbours also turned out.
She says the library has been popular among all age groups.
"A lot of seniors check in with me when I'm gardening and comment on how they enjoy it and it's one of the things that get them out of the house for a walk," Bonin tells PrinceGeorgeMatters. (She even has a Facebook page, Little Free Library #43411 - Prince George, where she runs contests and giveaways.)
While she has her own library outside her home, that doesn't mean she forgets about it when she travels. She says when she's out of town, she checks the map to see if there are any near her. Bonin also connects with other stewards through a Facebook group, which they only have access to.
"They have a Christmas gift exchange, and we share gifts with each other from around the world," Bonin says. "This is a great global connection, too."
Bonin and others in Prince George are now trying to set up a main Facebook page for anyone to access, as well as a digital map of libraries in Prince George so others can enjoy the community connection and go on a small tour.
"Everyone in town has been very supportive, including Books and Company and the public library," she says. "Our shelves are usually full of donations, and I even have a back-up bookshelf inside my house, in case it gets low."
If you want to get in touch with a Little Library steward in the community, you knock on his/her door or leave a note in the library itself. If you are interested in setting up your own little library, Little Free Library has the steps on their website.
If you do decide to create your own, you can either build your own or you can purchase one directly from the company.
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