By Valerie Franklin (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: November 20, 2013
Ever wanted a library in your front yard? How about in your local park?
Abbotsford resident Jacqueline Ashby did, and as a result set up a Little Free Library.
As an outdoor cabinet-style community bookshelf, the library allows anyone to borrow and return used books at their leisure.
“People can take a book, leave a book, or bring a book back,” Ashby explains. “It offers people access to reading materials at any time of day. It’s not limited to the hours of a library or a store or a café, and there are no due dates or fines.”
This project will be the first Little Free Library in Abbotsford, although there are over 10,000 globally. Each one is uniquely designed and decorated, but they’re all registered with the online Little Free Library organization.
Ashby was inspired by images of other Little Free Libraries she saw online, as well as her love of both reading and helping others learn.
In September, she started a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign to raise money for her library’s building supplies. The campaign was chosen as the staff pick project of the day, and eight hours later the $365 fundraising goal was fulfilled. Her library, which is currently being constructed by a friend, is set to be in operation by mid-December.
Thanks to donations of used books from The Book Man, the library will be well-stocked. So far Ashby has 521 books ready to go into circulation, including books for both adults and children. The library’s content will also continue to grow and change as readers donate their own favourite books.
As the steward of her library, Ashby will spend time each week making sure the structure is clean, in good condition, and well-stocked. She also plans to post photographs of book covers on her Little Free Library’s website so anyone can see what’s new and available to borrow.
Building and tending one of these libraries is a long-term commitment, but it’s about more than just sharing good books. Ashby, who recently completed her doctorate, believes that the Little Free Library will help establish what she calls the three pillars of an informed society: connection with one’s community, life-long learning, and literacy.
“These three things all play a role in creating a more informed society that is civically engaged and takes part in making the world a better place for others,” she says.
Literacy is an essential skill in today’s world, where much of our information comes in text format. But according to research from Literacy BC, 400,000 of BC’s working-age adults are at level 1 literacy – the lowest level of proficiency. Another 600,000 British Columbians are at level 2, which Literacy BC reports is “still inadequate for full participation and success in modern society.”
[pullquote]“People can leave little notes … saying, ‘Hey, I read this great book … let me know what you think!’”[/pullquote]
The Little Free Library organization hopes to improve low literacy rates worldwide by increasing accessibility to books, or as their mission states:
“[Promoting] a sense of community, reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world.”
Ashby notes that anyone can create a Little Free Library, and that she’s eager to see more of them pop up in the community.
“I’d like to encourage other people to explore setting up their own Little Free Library. I think it’s a great idea,” she says.
In particular, Ashby hopes to see university students getting involved. Ashby worked for UFV’s office of institutional research and planning for three years, and feels the distance between UFV’s campuses can create a sense of isolation for students and faculty. She suggests that Little Free Libraries could help unite the various campuses as a community.
There is currently an informal book swap shelf near the cafeteria in building A at CEP, but it could be so much more.
“People can leave little notes in the books saying, ‘Hey, I read this great book, I’m on the Chilliwack campus, let me know what you think!’” she says. “It could be a great way to connect people.”
