Lil Street Libraries in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Library

Lil Street Libraries

Locality: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Phone: +61 403 174 023

Address: Bunda Street 2601 Canberra, ACT, Australia

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24.01.2022 A street library with a little something extra to pick you up when you feel flat! The Byrne Street Library was set up by Madeleine in March 2020 after she was inspired by one in her Wanniassa community. ‘I wanted to make it from re-purposed materials so I kept an eye out for cabinets that could be reused. I found this one on the side of the road on my lunch break. I used a hole saw drill bit for the first time while cutting out the door for the glass - which is from a broken ...frame. I decided to keep the feet of the cabinet as a feature because they give it extra character’ said Madeleine. It took Madeleine about 6 months, learning new skills and consulting with several people before it was installed. In this LSL you’ll find a wide selection of books, mainly fiction, some little golden books, some romance. Our favourite however is the "flat packs" that Madeleine has come up with. ‘I make it as a way to pick people up when they feel flat. They are little envelopes that have a treat, a craft item to make or some puzzles, and a blank card for reaching out to someone’ What a unique, kind and creative idea! We asked Madeleine what her favourite thing was about hosting a LSL and she said ‘I love the sharing and community aspect, its an active way of adding to your community and its also a passive way of adding to your community, neighbours and visitors take and leave what they like and its not invasive’. Madeleine recently added a box on the side for Zines. ‘I love to write and this is my way of encouraging that in others’ said Madeleine. If you are in the area check out the Byrne Street Library. Why not make a lil ‘flatpack’ of your own to leave for someone needing a pick me up in this wonderful Canberra community of ours. Address: 22 Byrne Street, Wanniassa #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Wanniassa

24.01.2022 Lil Street Libraries going into hibernation Hi Canberra, we want to let you know that a lot of the little street libraries in our region will go into hibernation until the Covid19 pandemic is under control. Some LSLs will stay open but with a request for books not to be returned and others have turned their LSLs into community pantries. ... Each LSL runs independently so it will be up to each individual host to decide what he/she wants to do with their lil library. For now stay home, stay safe, save lives and see you on the other side of this pandemic. Shah & Roz #lilstreetlibraries

22.01.2022 Downer Village’s newest addition Amanda discovered street libraries a few years ago, then earlier this year her dad set one up at his place. Amanda’s father is the amazing Peter Keast, our Southside LSL Champion and the man behind Torrens Laneway Community Garden and Lil Street Library. Amanda said ‘It was my father's idea to create a street library for the Downer Village. Downer has a fantastically active community and we both thought it's members would appreciate and utili...se a street library.’ Of the 6 LSLs Peter has up-cycled this year, this is the biggest. He’s made it from recycled cedar and has also built a planter at the bottom of the library. The Village Vet in Downer, a local business which Amanda co-owns paid for the materials for this LSL and will provide the ongoing care. Amanda is amazed at the sense of community this LSL has already evoked. ‘I love that it encourages reading and I love watching people (especially children), open the door to see what's inside’ said Amanda. If you are planning a clean out of your excess books over the holidays please pop them in this LSL, they are eagerly awaiting donations. ADDRESS: Downer Village Frencham Place, Downer. (Next to Community Centre, The Village Vets and Gang Gang Cafe) #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Downer

21.01.2022 Bonython Primary’s Book Loving Art Class This Lil Street Library was a project of Bonython Primary School - ACT Year 5 & 6 Arts Leadership group late last year. Miss Owens (Year 5 & 6 teacher) explained that they began the process with good old fashioned research. The group leaders regularly met with the principal to discuss key considerations, they connected with Vicki Lucas at Gilmore Primary School to find out about their LSL, and they spoke with the relevant people throu...gh Access Canberra about where they could and couldn't put the LSL. Armed with key learnings and insights from their research, it was time to get busy making their little library. With the help of the school’s Building Service Officer, an old TV Cabinet originally sourced from Facebook Marketplace was waterproofed and repurposed into a Lil Street Library. The students used the leadership group sessions to paint and create the wonderful artwork you see on the LSL. Most street libraries in Canberra schools remain behind the school gates making them inaccessible for the public. In the case of Bonython Primary, Miss Owens identified a small parcel of land outside the school gates that belongs to the school, so they were able to pop the LSL on this spot without obtaining permission from the ACT Government. Being outside the gates means of course that the community can use the LSL too. This lil library opened a couple of weeks ago. If you are in the neighbourhood, pop in and take a book, leave a book and share a book. #lilstreetlibraries #Bonython #Canberra

20.01.2022 Look what’s at The Green Shed at the moment! The perfect vintage fridge to up-cycle into a Lil Street Library. You better be quick before someone else snaps it up Thanks Richard for letting us know

19.01.2022 Duffy’s first Lil Street Library Weston Creek becomes the first Canberra district with a Lil Street Library in all its suburbs with the installation of this lovely little up-cycled beauty in Duffy. This was another wonderful community collaboration between Sylvia (the host), Peter (the maker) and Lil Street Libraries (the match makers). ... Sylvia first discovered LSLs when a friend set one up in front of her house. ‘I think it’s a great way for communities to come together and share a love of reading’ said Sylvia. So when we approached her to see if she would like to host one for Duffy, she jumped at the chance. Sylvia paid for the materials for the up-cycling and our LSL Champion Peter Keast (of the Torrens Community Garden & LSL) donated his time and skills. Sylvia said she is most looking forward to ‘Opening up the LSL and seeing old books disappear and new books appear!’ Currently this LSL has some kids books as well as grown up books. Sylvia is looking for some picture books, and YA to add to the collection so if you have any of these in excess please pop them in this lil street library. ADDRESS: 12 Mirrool Street, Duffy #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Duffy

18.01.2022 Spotted: Busy Bee street library - 8 Moogerah street Duffy #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Duffy

17.01.2022 Spotted: Rivett’s 6th Lil Street Library Address: 6 Salsola Street, Rivett Thanks to our super spotter Cheryl Zehentner ... #lilstreetlibraries #Rivett #Canberra

17.01.2022 Canberra’s newest Lil Street Library 32 Wakelin Circuit, Weston. #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Weston

17.01.2022 Richardson's first Lil Street Library Richardson has now joined our Lil Street Libraries 'Haves' list with the installation of this creatively repurposed fridge that invites you to 'Give a book and the gift of imagination' and 'Take a book and a moment to yourself' - and we like the sound of that! Host Jessica first became aware of Lil Street Libraries after meeting one of our Belconnen LSL Champions, Rachael Thorpe (of the Boan Close Bizzy Bee LSL).... 'We were blessed to cross paths online this time last year and when I got a chance to visit Rachael at her home I saw her street library and she explained to me what it was and what it meant to her.' Jessica already has a street pantry but was inspired to add a street library. 'I've been trying to give back to the community as much as possible after I was so blessed to have received help from strangers when I was down on my luck... I knew that I had to jump on board'. Jessica is looking forward to meeting more neighbours and having the opportunity to establish new friendships. If you're looking for a variety of books including fiction, romance, fantasy and children's books, pop down to Richardson's first LSL! ADDRESS: 4 Vidal Street, Richardson #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Richardson

17.01.2022 Upcycled Bedside Beauty Check out this cute Lil Street Library upcycled from old bedside tables. Peter (one of our Southside LSL champions) is a master at rescuing old furniture that would otherwise end up in landfill and turning them into practical and adorable Lil Street Libraries. It’s a win win for our environment and our community. This one was created for Chifley and is hosted by the local Friendly Grocer at the Chifley Shop playgrounds. Peter even made the lil stool f...rom scrap material for little kids to stand on so they can see inside the box. Another brilliant community collaboration. ADDRESS: Chifley shops playground Chifley place, Chiefly (across from the shops, access via Eggleston Crescent). #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Chifley

16.01.2022 Be Our Eyes and Ears! Help us keep the Lil Street Library list updated. If you see a LSL in Canberra/ Queanbeyan that is not on our list, or you see one on the list that is no longer there, please let us know in the comments or via PM. LSL List... https://docs.google.com//1PLuOfT8CJuAlbYvcbQwQShcmr8uMftCv Thanks for your help

16.01.2022 Follow the white rabbit, no I mean dog... ‘The Little Charnie Street Library’ received a heartwarming surprise yesterday. The lovely little thank you card read: To the Owner of this Library;... My daughter and I were out for a walk and spotted a little white dog. We thought to see if we could catch it & call the number on it’s collar, but the dog disappeared up this street. We stumbled across your little library by accident!, and what a delightful accident it was! Thank you! We will definitely be regulars and have ambitions to start our own Little Street Library. S & G Host Fiona said: ‘So thanks, to the little white mystery dog!, for sending these appreciative folks to the Little Charnie Street Library. I hope it continues to bring a little bit of joy & happiness, to all who visit! ’ #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Charnwood

16.01.2022 Feast your eyes on Curtin’s 8th Lil Street Library. Yes you heard right! 8TH!!!! Address: ... Curruthers Street, Curtin (Next to the church by the footpath) #lilstreetlibraries #Curtin #Canberra

15.01.2022 We welcome Amaroo’s 3rd LSL Ali first heard about street libraries a few years ago and now that her kids have become more independent readers they have been locating different LSL around Canberra and swapping out books. ‘They absolutely love it. My favourite part is watching their excitement and anticipation just before they first see what books are available’ said Ali. After 12 months of keeping her eye out for a suitable container to repurpose into a LSL without any luck, ...Ali reached out to her local Buy Nothing Group and they helped her locate the little red locker. A few letterbox address stickers later they had the perfect LSL. ‘It’s been a really fun process getting it ready and finally launching it’ said Ali. Since opening their LSL in mid January 2020, they’ve had lots of visitors to the family’s delight. They are located not far from the school and shops with a path running directly past their house so there is a lot of foot traffic. If you are in the area pop in and check out what’s on offer. You will find both kids and grown up books at this LSL. Don’t forget to download to download a LSL passport. See pinned post for the link to the file. ADDRESS: 2 Leven Street, Amaroo #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Amaroo

15.01.2022 Yay!!! Lyons has its first Lil Street Library Thank you Cheryl Zehentner for sharing your find ADDRESS:... 69 Davenport Street, Lyons #lilstreetlibraries #Lyons #Canberra

15.01.2022 Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's SUPERMAN! Ok, so not in the sky exactly, but safely secured at Collins Place Evatt and we went along to the big reveal today. Laura Gilbert learnt about Lil Street Libraries after discovering that the Hulk LSL was only a stone’s throw away from her home. Then not long ago, she sat down to write her 50 before 50 list and #2 was to make her own street library.... Laura had the concept for what she wanted but was not feeling very handy or artistic so she turned to her local Buy Nothing Group for help. That’s when Anna came to the rescue. Not only did she create the AMAZING artwork but she also added the safety precautions by drilling air holes in the back of the fridge and breaking the seal so the door can be kicked open from the inside in an emergency. The fridge sits on a level paved section and is secured to pickets at the back. My original plan was worst case to just get a fridge and place a Superman symbol on it but Anna has done so much more than that... she has blown my initial expectations away with all her hard work. Wow Anna, you’ve blown our minds with your artistic prowess, community spirit and creativity. We just love the design and have no doubt that everyone is going to LOVE taking a Superman selfie! We think you’re just super Anna! So why the Superman theme? Laura’s children were her inspiration for creating the library. My eldest was born at 24 weeks so we used to say he was our super baby and would dress him up as superman as he had to be pretty tough to survive what he did. Evatts Super Little Street Library - ESLSL contains mostly kids books, but there are some adult books too. I may also add some toys in the freezer compartment so parents can choose if they want the kids to know about the toys as well Laura said. Well Laura, we think you can put a super big tick on your 50 before 50 list. If you’re in the area, swoosh over to the Superman LSL to take a book, give a book, share a book. While you’re there, you might want to pop down the lane to visit the Hulk too ADDRESS: 11 Colins Place, Evatt #lilstreetlibraries #Evatt #Canberra

14.01.2022 If you’re in the neighbourhood 183 Antill Street, Downer #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Downer

14.01.2022 2019 IN REVIEW Wow - what a year it's been! We started the year with 72 street libraries in 45 Canberra suburbs and 3 in Queanbeyan - which was almost double the number of street libraries when we started LSL in March 2018. ... Then we got a lil ambitious and issued a challenge to Canberra for a street library in every Canberra suburb by 31 December 2019. So, did we meet our goal? Ahh... not quite, BUT we are SO proud of the growth of street libraries in Canberra over the past year! We now have 144 street libraries in 74 (of 108) Canberra suburbs and 4 in Queanbeyan/Karabar. So again, the number of LSL has doubled - WOW!!! ...and let's not forget Weston Creek who became our first district with a LSL in every suburb! We have some amazing LSL Champions to thank for a large number of the street libraries that have popped up this year. You'll learn more about these amazing people in 2020. So where to from here? Our goal will continue into 2020 and we hope to tick the last 34 suburbs off our "Have not" list. Happy 2020 everyone!

13.01.2022 Introducing ‘The Curtin’ Lil Street Library walk/ride trail If you’re looking for a fun activity this weekend, grab your walking shoes or your bike, some books to exchange and check out the 8 LSL in our Curtin LSL walk/ride is trail. (It’s kind of like a pub crawl, but with , not !) This trail is approximately 5km and will take about 58 mins if you are walking, but allow more time so you can explore each street library and take a book, give a book, share a book. Remembe...r to bring your LSL Passport too (the link to our printable is included in our pinned post ) A big THANK YOU to Stephen McDonald from the Nemarang Cres Book Exchange for being more tech-savvy than the two of us combined and creating this awesome trail Here’s the link to the Google Map https://goo.gl/maps/HtnX6MGfgGcXyYyn9 We’d love to see photos of your book crawl so please PM us your pics #lilstreetlibraries #Curtin #streetlibrarytrail #Canberra

13.01.2022 Spotted: A new LSL in Higgins ADDRESS: 24 Ashburner street, Higgins... P.S. Thanks Cheryl Zehentner for the share

11.01.2022 SUPERMAN IS COMING! Join Laura and her family this Saturday to lift Superman’s cape and officially launch Canberra’s very own Superman Lil Street Library. We’re so excited to see another superhero join our LSL ranks! ... We’ll share more about Laura and her story after the launch - after all, we don’t want to spoil the surprise #lilstreetlibraries #Evatt #Canberra

09.01.2022 Check out this cool Lil Street Library in Holder! This LSL has been created from an up-cycled old wooden suitcase from the Green Shed. The mosaic pavers leading up to the library has been handcrafted by the clever LSL host. You will also find a small community herb garden near nearby compliments of the lovely next door neighbour. This LSL offers adult fiction and non fiction as well as children’s books. ... According to BOM it will be sunny and 26 degrees in Canberra tomorrow so if you are in the neighbourhood this weekend why not drop by to exchange a book and grab yourself a few sprigs of fresh herbs while you are at it Address: 4 Hyndes Crescent, Holder. #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Holder

09.01.2022 Belconnen’s first Lil Street Library thanks to Bor and Jessica Address: 81 Totterdel street, Belconnen #lilstreetlibraries #Belconnen #Canberra

05.01.2022 A little more sparkle, a little less stress. This Christmas, we wish you the very best. Shah & Roz

03.01.2022 Hi all, Please keep an eye out for Minthia’s bench seat (photo in first comment) and get in touch with her via private message if you see it.

03.01.2022 Spotted: A sunny yellow Lil Street Library. Address: 8 Ah Mouy Place Kambah.

01.01.2022 Zara’s Lil Street Library Zara (7) loves to read. After visiting a few LSLs in Canberra with her mum Kate and big sister Daisy, she asked her mum if they could set up a LSL of their own at their home in Franklin, so she could share her books with everyone. Zara’s uncle helped them to convert an old cooler into a little library using 100% recycled material. ... Zara’s Lil Street Library mainly has children’s books and a few grown up ones. Donations have come from friends and the girls' teachers. ‘We have a lot support, we are having so much fun and feel proud of our work’ said mum Kate. Kate loves seeing her girls sharing their love of books with the neighbourhood and the Canberra community. It’s also nice to see another LSL around Gungahlin ADDRESS: 79 Christina Stead Street, Franklin #lilstreetlibraries #Canberra #Franklin