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'Little libraries' continue to pop up across Penticton

Community-wide initiative allows residents to share their love for reading
little-library
A mini library at 1718 Ridgedale Avenue in Penticton.

What started as a grassroots project in a small Wisconsin town 15 years ago has become a global trendsetter, with Penticton among the communities to join in on the fun.

There are now close to 20 "little libraries" in Penticton, as of November 2024.

The idea dates back to 2009 when a Hudson, WI man built a mini library on his front lawn to pay homage to his mother, a school teacher who loved to read.

According to Little Free Library Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” a Minnesota-based non-profit Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥”  around 150,000 "little libraries" have since been built in more than 120 countries.

In Penticton, the trend on public land started after the Beyond Words book club applied for grant funding and worked with local high schools to build structures and stock their shelves with books.

Although "little libraries" had already been seen on private properties across the community Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” including a 2014 structure on 580 Braid Street Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” the local book club helped open the city's first structure on public land in 2022.

Books are offered on a "take a book, leave a book" system, according to the city.

"It's the perfect weather to curl up with a good book," the city said in a social media post on Thursday after a new "little library" popped up in the community.

"We just love this latest submission," its post reads. "The owner's family created the 'Little Castle' in memory of her mom, whose maiden name was "Little" and married name was 'Castle.' She was an avid reader and loved visiting the library."

A full map of where "little libraries" are located across North America can be found

Community members are encouraged to curl up with a book and visit each of the following "little library" locations in Penticton:

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Penticton Community Centre

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ The Little Castle (back alley of Bennett and Penticton avenues, near Government)

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 1718 Ridgedale Avenue

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 580 Braid Street

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 168 Ponderosa Place

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 238 Douglas Avenue - "Ollie's Lending Library"

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 2563 Evergreen Drive

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 412 Conklin Avenue (this is said to be the first structure of its in Penticton, according to the city)

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 403 Conklin Avenue

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 765 Toronto Avenue

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Penticton Safety Village, 90 Edmonton Ave

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Kiwanis Court, 360 Brunswick St.

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 1604 West Bench Drive (at West Bench Elementary)

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 'Books at the Barn' - Green Mountain Road 

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ Near 191 Dewdney Crescent

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 140 Craig Drive 

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 153 Bennett Avenue 

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 692 Vancouver Avenue

Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥¢ 126 Middle Bench Road North



Logan Lockhart

About the Author: Logan Lockhart

I joined Black Press Media in 2021 after graduating from a pair of Toronto post-secondary institutions and working as a sports reporter for several different outlets.
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