Little libraries provide books for all

STREET libraries are springing up everywhere and Heathcote is no exception.

They’re part of a worldwide grassroots movement that seeks to help share the joy of reading and create lasting connections in the community.

Each street library is filled with books for people to take and read, with the option to return them or donate another book in the future.

The library outside Heathcote Community House on Hospital Street at Heathcote is jam-packed and executive officer Vicki Forde said it was filled with resources for everyone to use.

“It’s just recently been re-livened up,” she said. “We’ve just started putting activities out there.”

The library also provided an outlet during the pandemic.

“We had it pre-COVID, and through COVID we put each book into a sealed plastic bag, and we had sanitizer in there, that way people could still enjoy them.”

Ms Forde said they hoped to add other items such as DVDs in the future.

Speed Reads on Speed Street at Heathcote is home to a street library created by local resident Vikki McNaughton.

Ms McNaughton said she was inspired to start her offering after becoming involved in a street library project for work.

“I’m a teacher,” she said. “I’m on leave with my toddler at the moment, but my school built street libraries and donated them to community organisations in Seymour and the surrounding area.

“We had so much fun that I wanted to put one up at my place.

“I like to give back to the community, I’ve been a coach in a soccer club and I used to be in the fire brigade.

“As a teacher I think literacy is really important and I think having access to books is really important for young people and the community at large.”

Ms McNaughton said her street library was built last year however not that many people had come to see what it had to offer.

“I’ve had lots of donations, so I have a box of books I’ve been collecting and I rotate them every now and then so there’s something fresh every few weeks.”

She wanted to encourage everyone to come and see what was on offer and Speed Reads also offers seasonal vegetable and herb seeds for swapping.

There is also a street library for readers in the Redesdale area located at Redesdale Reserve and it’s stocked with books, magazines and DVDs.