Little Lending Libraries

One of the latest projects the Bridgetown’s Grumpy Old Men’s Shed have been involved in has been the construction of ‘Little Lending Libraries’ for Geegeelup Village.

Michele Finlay, Independent Living Manager of Geegeelup Village was the instigator of the idea to have several ‘Lending Libraries’ situated about the village and she explains how it came about.

“Grumpy Old Men’s Shed have done a wonderful job with the libraries, the Men’s Shed made them for us at cost. Geegeelup Village maintenance crew have now concreted the libraries in place.

“In the first while I filled the Lending Libraries with donated books, since then I have seen that the books are being changed on a regular basis.

“There are four Libraries at the moment which are dotted throughout village. During winter the libraries have proved to be a welcome and needed extra in the village, so much so we are planning to place an extra one among the new constructions at the top of Allnutt Street.

“The Little Libraries are for use for the Geegeelup residents and with the independent living units and houses all taken up at the moment I’m sure the libraries are in for a lot of use.”

Merrick Paget along with his colleages at the Shed have constructed these libraries over the past few months.

Merrick has been quite pleased with the way the ‘Little Libraries’ have performed during this wet winter, and on checking he was pleased to say, “We added air vents to the libraries to stop any moisture build up spoiling the books, the vents are doing the job.”

Terry Linz, Grumpy Old Men’s representative was delighted to say; “The Libraries have been an instant success with the residents. We have received several thank you notes and a donation towards constructing more from Geegeelup residents.

“The libraries work as a book exchange; the residents can take along a book to deposit at the library and come away with another book to read.

“Lending Libraries are a beautiful home for books, situated around the village. They are accessible from the pathways, and are an invitation to share in the joys of reading with your neighbours.

“Lending Libraries are a window into the mind of a community; books come and go; no-one needs to check them in or out. People can simply reach in and take what interests them; when they are done, they can return them to the Lending Library.

“If a resident has a book or two that they think others would enjoy, they can just pop it into one of the Little Libraries as they happen to be walking past.

“They are a symbol of trust and hope, a tiny vestibule of literary happiness.”