Little Free Library posts continue to pop up around Sarnia-Lambton and plans are in the works for additional book-sharing locations.
Watford's first Little Free Library was unveiled last week at the park on Sunset Avenue, near the Libro Community Garden.
The book exchange initiative in the community started as a collaboration between Literacy Lambton, the Rotary Club of Watford, and the Township of Warwick.
Literacy Lambton's Executive Director Tracy Pound said discussions for the project started in September so she was "tickled" to see the final product.
"It was a very proud moment standing with the Rotary Club of Watford and seeing all of the great work that they did," she said. "They have all these special touches on it, they have a rotary symbol on the side and it was really a great effort of the club to put that together."
Pound said the Little Free Library does not replace public libraries as Lambton County Library provides many valuable services, however, it does act as an additional social opportunity for residents.
"There's a lot of spinoffs. There's the getting out and meeting neighbours, sharing the love of a good book and the discussion that comes around sharing a new book, but it's also just [about] putting the love of literacy right out in the neighbourhoods," said Pound.
She said a Little Free Library could be started by an individual or group and could go up on someone's front lawn, a park, or outside of a business.
"Ultimately, the goodness inside and how wonderful it is is something that is shared by the community. How amazing it is stocked is reflected by the support of the neighbourhood and the community members."
Pound said there are plans for additional book-sharing posts but didn't want to give away any surprises.
"What I've been saying is 'There's going to be a lot more popping up this spring than just flowers in Sarnia-Lambton,'" laughed Pound.
There are more than 30 Little Free Library locations scattered across Sarnia-Lambton. A list can be found on Literacy Lambton's Facebook page. Additional details about the initiative can also be found at littlefreelibrary.org.
