On February 23rd, we installed a new library box in our neighborhood—a small but meaningful addition to our community. Built and installed by my father-in-law, the library box is made of western red cedar, a beautiful and durable wood known for its natural resistance to decay and infestation. It was important to me to have a library box nearby, as our neighborhood didn’t have one accessible to all ages (aside from a children’s book box). With my house being close to a mailbox, we thought it was the perfect location where neighbors could easily stop by while out on a walk or picking up their mail.
As we were putting it up, several neighbors stopped to chat, expressing their excitement about having a book exchange in our area. It was heartwarming to see such immediate enthusiasm, reaffirming that this little project would bring something positive to our community. Within just 24 hours of installation, the book box was already in use—one book had been taken, and later that same day, a new one had been left in its place. It was exactly the kind of interaction I had hoped for!
To start things off, I stocked the box with 20 books collected from friends, family, and my own shelves. Seeing the library box being used so quickly made me even more excited about its future. Beyond just sharing books, I hope this little space can become a source of fun and connection in the neighborhood. I have plenty of ideas for how to make it engaging, from decorating it for different holidays to posting trivia questions inside and even supplying handmade bookmarks for visitors to take home.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Neighbourhood Small Grants, and I’m incredibly grateful for their contribution in making this idea a reality. I’m looking forward to watching the library box grow and evolve, seeing what books come and go, and finding new ways to keep it a vibrant and welcoming space for everyone in the neighborhood.
