If you travel a short distance out of Chestermere on to Range Road 281, you will come across something that at first, just looks like an adorable yard ornament. But take a closer look and you’ll be quite surprised at what you see.
The Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” initiative where people can share their favourite stories and also get the opportunity to read the favourite stories of others. Anyone may stop by and pick up a book (or two) and drop off books to share with others.
Angela Wiseman built the Little Free Library after her father visited in June and built the lighthouse book box for her which then allowed her to open the Little Free Library in July of this year. When asked why she started this, Angela said, “Well, the reason goes way back! My parents, my mother in particular, instilled in me a love for books and reading. I am an avid reader – and enjoy many genres. Over the years I collected and later donated piles of books to schools, etc. My belief is that if you never stop reading, you never stop learning and exercising your imagination. Books are a gift to be opened and enjoyed – and shared with others. A friend of mine told me about Little Free Libraries – and started one herself in NW Calgary; I was inspired to do the same for our area.”
Wiseman says that initially stocked the library from her own extensive personal collection. One very kind woman donated a large number of books to the LFL, and various people have dropped off a book or two. She also purchases, from time to time, small gift items such as bookmarks or crafts for the book box. “I love to give”, says Angela.
Wiseman goes on to say, “The idea of the Little Free Library is to provide free books to anyone who would like them – and to share books you have read with others through the book box. The library is an exchange site and is most successful when people feel a sense of ownership and community around it. I try to keep the LFL tidy and inviting so that people will want to visit it. And I’m open to requests, too. If someone really wants to see a particular author, genre or book in the box I’ll go hunting for it! People can e-mail me through the website or send me tweets: @LotPLFL People who want to know about Calgary and area LFLs should visit the Facebook page: Little Free Library Calgary. LFL stewards are a marvellous group of people!
If anyone wants to know more about the Lighthouse on the Prairie LFL near Chestermere they can visit http://tinyurl.com/olnlkev And – if anyone is interested in having a LFL book box for themselves they can reach out to my husband – who is happy to do some building: dan.wiseman@telus.net If you have a book box built and want to steward a Little Free Library, the website www.LittleFreeLibrary.org can be visited for information on how to get established and registered, etc.”.
“There is so much more to a book than just the reading” – Maurice Sendak
