Barbara Aris enjoy a book at the Port Greville look-off, where the community’s new “Little Free Library” is located. The library is a project of the Shore Drive Community Development Association.
For example, you can take books out of this library, but you are not obligated to return them. You can keep them for as long as you want. You can also replace it with another book, if you like.
Another difference is that this library is not inside a building. Rather, it is a cabinet of books located at the picturesque Port Greville look-off, where you just might decide to sit and read the book instead of going home.
The library is a project of the Shore Drive Community Development Association, and was the idea of association member Barbara Aris.
“I was looking for things to enhance the area for the people who live here, and it doesn’t hurt to help the tourists either,” said Aris. “I saw something online about little libraries being set up. One fellow had out one at the end of his driveway to get rid of his wife’s cookbooks, and it was such a success, it just caught on.”
She brought the idea to a meeting of the association in the spring, and it was received so well by the membership that a committee was immediately struck and the project was underway.
Association member Shirley Kurlyuk took the idea home to her husband Mike, who built the cabinet in his workshop with materials supplied by the local Harrison’s Home Hardware store in Parrsboro. Books were bought and donated by members, with one section of the cabinet for children, and the rest of the books ranging from novels to cookbooks and self-help books.
“There’s a lot of children and seniors here, who can’t get in their car and drive to Parrsboro to use the Cumberland regional library, but they like to have new books to read,” said association president. “We especially thought that children would love to have the opportunity to go and pick up their own books, bring new ones back, and contribute to the library. It’s a great idea for families in the community.”
The library has been a hit with the community. Local children have indeed been giving it regular business, as have adults of all ages. One senior, who never used to walk much, now finds himself walking to the library every day to see what’s new.
Tourists and visitors have also enjoyed the library, taking pictures and raving about it to their friends at home.
“Everything has been great,” said Aris. “I don’t know why – it’s not like there isn’t a library in Parrsboro – but it just took off. There’s also these e-books and stuff now too that I thought might hurt it, but I think there’s something about holding a book and chatting with friends.”
A second library has already been constructed and is to be installed in Diligent River, near the busy community centre there.
In the meantime, there will continue to be something for everyone at Port Greville’s little library.
“It’s just another attraction for them to stop and enjoy Port Greville,” said Allen.
Twitter: @ADNandrew
