While on a family camping trip a few years ago, we discovered a little free library that had been set up by the friendly park host at the Kettle River campground. We found a great book – Treasure Island – and were pleasantly surprised when the park host told us we could keep it. Since then, I have wanted to build a little free library to share the love of books and reading with my community. I love the idea of a little free library, where you can donate, borrow, or keep a book.
Our family recently moved next to a popular hiking trail in Grand Forks and we thought it would be a perfect spot for a little free library. People walking by could grab a book and bring it to the beach or take it home to read.
I discovered the Neighbourhood Small Grants through a local Facebook group and applied for funding to help build the little library. My husband and I worked together on a design for the library that started with a vintage window we found at a local antique shop – Luv This Stuff. The window, now the door of our library, used to be the bathroom window of the shop. Thanks to the Neighbourhood Small Grants we could use the funds to purchase the building and painting supplies. My husband built the library, and I painted it over the summer.
I chose nature-themed stencils to decorate the library to coordinate with the wildlife in the neighbourhood.
Once completed, my husband mounted the library in a large planter pot, anchoring the post with cement. Once the cement was dry, it was covered in potting soil and I planted some Mother of Thyme, a deer and drought-resistant plant. I found a couple of cute solar lights online, one of a reading frog, and the other a reading rabbit. They have been placed in the flower pot below the library and look great when lit up in the dark.
We had our Grand Opening ribbon cutting on Sunday, August 25th. Using the funds from the grant, we decorated the library with balloons and ribbon and placed a table with snacks and refreshments to share with the community. I posted on social media to notify the community about our project and the opening date. Many people came by to say hi, donate books, and take some books. A local author, Dennis Thome, came by to donate two of his books, Kodah of the Bear People and Other F Words, Experiments in Floetry. Boundary Helping Hands Feline Rescue Society Book Nook donated a box of books, and we donated some from our home collection.
We fill the library with a wide range of children’s books, babies and toddler books, books for 8 to 10-year-olds, and novels for young adults. For adults, we have non-fiction, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance. The community response has been great. People have been taking books to enjoy and we add new books about once a week. People from the community have brought books to donate as well. We also provide bookmarks and a guestbook for visitors to sign.
We registered the library with littlefreelibrary.org so visitors from out of town who download the app can find us on the little library app. Our charter number is #191769
We made a Facebook and Instagram page to share our updates and shelf restocking with the community. You can follow us by searching Riverside Meadows Little Free Library on Facebook, and @riverside.meadows.lfl on Instagram. People from the community have left us comments on our social media posts, saying thank you for making the library and saying they will stop by to get a book or donate books.
We enjoy seeing all the people come by on their walks and take a book to read. Sometimes I chat with some of them if I happen to be outside while they are browsing. People have expressed gratitude and told us how great it is to have the little library in the neighbourhood. It is great to see everyone’s enthusiasm for reading.
Thank you to Neighbourhood Small Grants for helping us bring this library to life for the community of Grand Forks!
