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Release Date: 
Tuesday, 6 December 2016

The Armadale community is joining the worldwide Little Free Libraries movement to promote reading, boost community literacy levels and bring neighbours together.

The project from UnitingCare West, together with volunteers from Forrestdale Community Men’s Shed, will see the first of ten Little Outdoor Libraries (LOL) installed in the new year.

Officially launching on 15 December, the LOL program will see small wooden library boxes erected in public locations around the City.

With a custodian designated to each little library, the boxes will act as a repository for books where anyone can stop by, pick up a book and bring back another to share.

Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM JP, said the colourful libraries, a first for Armadale, were part of an exciting international movement, which had its origins in 2009 in the United States.

There are reportedly 50,000 Little Free Library book exchanges around the world, bringing kerbside literacy home and sharing millions of books annually.

“Not only does this project encourage our community to read more and promote sustainability, it also connects like-minded people and makes the sharing of books even more accessible for all,” he said.

“The beauty of the Little Libraries is that they need no membership applications or library cards, and create community hubs for people to gather. It’s as easy as walking up to one of these hand crafted Little Libraries, selecting a book and taking it home.

“Once you’ve finished the book you can return it for others to enjoy or donate one of your own books.”

Each custodian group will be able to decorate their own Little Library and monitor their care and maintenance. Information sessions will be held in mid-January for those wishing to become involved.

For more information on this topic contact:

Phone: (08) 9394 5000
Email: info@armadale.wa.gov.au

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