Pittwater Life August 2017 Issue

News
New chapters for our street libraries
Street libraries continue to be planted in Pittwater as the community
embraces the concept of leaving books in distinctive boxes
outside homes to share with others.
One of the first locals to turn a page was Newport’s Rosemary
Puddy (right) who created the Saltpan Point street library the same
week she launched her podcast – thebookpodcast.com – which
features interviews with Australian women writers.
Rosemary’s little dark blue hut attached to the wall on her driveway
in Prince Alfred Parade houses books from all genres, from
crime to cooking, children’s to YA Fiction and non-fiction.
The library was set up around six months ago – with Rosemary
saying it’s tricky to estimate how many books had been “borrowed”
as the library rules were quite flexible.
“On the door it says, ‘take a book, swap a book, or leave a book’
– some weeks they are gone in a few days and other
times over a week or two… I take out any that
haven’t moved after two weeks,” she explained.
Rosemary started the library as a community gesture
and a way to get to know people in her street.
“I get to chat with anyone who happens to be there
when I am coming and going from the house… everyone
loves the idea,” she said.
“I did put a couple of racier books in the library
in my first week – and got two Bibles back in return!
Must have thought I needed redemption,” she said
with a laugh.
Rosemary added street libraries were not just for
households, adding any business or club could set
one up.
“It’s a great way to connect and step outside your
reading comfort zone.”
Meanwhile in Terrey Hills, you can’t miss the colourful Possum
Lodge street library in Burraga Avenue.
Curated by Radio Northern Beaches (88.7 and 90.3FM) community
program host, artist, and Sydney Wildlife Rescuer Michelle
Holmes, the library holds 90 books, with up to half of them moving
every week.
The library, which cost just $50 for paint and hardware, was
built by Michelle’s husband Bill “out of his magic garage of bits and
pieces”, with a kindly neighbour supplying Perspex.
Michelle said response from the community had been wonderful.
“We started with the stand-alone library but soon found people
were messaging me and offering books,” Michelle said. “So we
included two plastic tubs – one for children and one for more adult
books… then soon after came the offer of DVDs.
“Two little girls drew thank-you notes and
thanked me… their mum said they thought the fairies
had built it,” Michelle said.
“One man takes a regular walk each week to select
a book and a family comes after school because one
little man loves cookbooks.
“I had a beautiful letter saying how pleased this
giver of books was because the books were a collection
that belonged to her grandmother and she was
happy to know they will now be loved all over again.
“It made me quite teary to be the recipient of such
emotion.”
* For more information on Street Libraries go
to streetlibrary.com.au where other local libraries
listed include The Tardis at 47 Patrick St, Avalon and
A Novel Idea at 1758 Pittwater Rd, Bayview.
– Lisa Offord
24 AUGUST 2017
The Local Voice Since 1991