Little Free Libraries and Food Pantries have opened up at locations across the Town of The Blue Mountains.
Members of the community and of town council, the library board, Beaver Valley Outreach and the Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary club gathered in Ravenna on the morning of Friday, Oct. 11 to officially cut the ribbon on the new Little Free Library and Food Pantry and Ravenna Memorial Park.
The little libraries contain books for borrowing and reading also food and toiletry items for those in need. They have a motto of: “take what you need and give what you can.”
The little libraries are located across town at: Memorial Park in Ravenna, Beaver Valley Outreach in Thornbury by the Georgian Trail, Moreau Park, the Craigleith Heritage Depot and the L.E. Shore library complex. They are available 24 hours a day and seven days a week throughout the year.
Students at Georgian Bay Secondary School designed and built the little libraries and students from the technological class completed the artwork.
“They turned out fabulous, better than anything we could have imagined,” said Mary Dodge, the library’s manager of community engagement. “They really came to life.”
Mayor Andrea Matrosovs participated in the official ribbon cutting and was thrilled with how the community joined together on the project.
"We are proud to support this collaboration and encourage everyone to visit these unique spaces, showcasing the creativity and generosity of our residents,” said Matrosovs.
The official ribbon cutting coincided with the celebration of Ontario Public Library Week.
The Blue Mountains Public Library and Beaver Valley Outreach will monitor the little libraries and encourage local residents and citizens to contribute to them by adding books or pantry items.
“Libraries really are for life. It’s a great way to show the vital role libraries play in communities,” said Dodge.
