As a proud North Shore resident, I’m happy to share some good news that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic: our neighbours showed a lot of local love and channelled their affection for reading into Little Free Libraries.
A Little Free Library is a free book-sharing box where anyone may take a book or share a book. They function on the honor system. You do not need to share a book in order to take one. They were perfect book-sharing solutions when we were not able to visit local libraries. For some, Little Libraries also provided a space to connect with one another safely during the time when we had to stay apart.
You may have seen a Little Library in your neighbourhood because they’re spreading all over the North Shore. Since there are so many, United Way created a North Vancouver Little Library Map so you can find the nearest one to you – and go exploring around the area on your own Little Library tour.
United Way’s Lonsdale Community Builder, Sarah Duggan, created this wonderful community-sourced map with input from neighbours across the North Shore. To date, over 80 Little Library branches have been identified and new libraries will continue to be added. The map is part of United Way’s Hi Neighbour Initiative, designed to strengthen vital community connections.
It also serves as an example to show that when we get together, share, and create, the fabric of a community or neighbourhood becomes stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive – even during a pandemic.
Some Little Libraries are thematically different. For instance, the one at 5th and Chesterfield that I stop by often adds a new book by Indigenous authors each Wednesday. Others have craft supplies or plant seeds.
We hope community members will keep adding to this resource. If you wish to contribute to the map, you can share your knowledge with our Lonsdale Community Builder, Sarah, at sarahd@uwlm.ca or join the North Van Little Libraries Facebook Group.
Let’s continue the Little Library momentum after the pandemic is done. Research has shown that 72% of volunteer stewards have met more neighbours because of their Little Free Library. Ninety-two percent of people say their neighbourhood feels like a friendlier place because of a Little Free Library, so let’s keep making our North Shore a little friendlier with more Little Libraries. We invite you to visit a Little Library near you and share a little bit of local love by sharing a book.
Michael McKnight is President & CEO, United Way of the Lower Mainland.
