Little Free Libraries//Brantford

Friends, it's official! Brantford is now the proud owner of ten new (artistic) Little Free Libraries. We wanted to put Brantford on the map and we've more than doubled our Little Free Library collection.

Ten local artists (Aleah Durham, Alex Mikulich, Aliki Mikulich, Arlene Laskey, Cassandra Chambers, Christa Potter, Dave McCreary, Elizabeth Gosse, Heather Vollans, Lizzy Mikulich) worked hard this summer and created the most beautiful little book houses which are now placed around the city.

The official artistic Little Free Library launch was on Friday, so on Thursday I rode around with the hardworking, beautiful and talented Sara to make sure all the libraries were filled with books and to take some photos. Unfortunately two of the little libraries were not yet installed, but we wanted to share photos of the ones which were.....

So many people worked long hours and gave so much to make this little dream come true and we are incredibly humbled and grateful to have been a small part of the bigger whole.

Brantford - we're so proud of you and happy to see our home city growing in a spirit of community and art.

So head out and grab a book today - because Saturdays are for reading.

Little Free Libraries-in Brantford!

Hear ye, hear ye - the following is a super cool opportunity for anyone who loves art or reading...or both. Check it:

The Corporation of the City of Brantford is seeking community members to submit proposals to decorate a Little Free Library™. The Little Free Libraries will be installed on municipally owned, publicly accessible property.

A Little Free Library is a take-a-book, return-a-book, exchange. There are over 50,000 registered Libraries across 70 countries. Through the program, millions of books are exchanged worldwide each year, significantly increasing access to books for readers of all ages. There are currently six registered Little Free Libraries in Brantford. The project proposes that two will be installed per ward for a total of ten new Libraries.

“We are excited to work with local artists – whether you are an established artist or you create in your spare time – to beautify all five wards in Brantford. Our hope is that these Little Free Libraries will inspire the love of reading, provide opportunities to learn and meet someone new, and encourage appreciation for public art in Brantford. These humble book exchanges will help to enhance our neighbourhoods, and will provide our community with a space to express what is important to them,” said Sara Munroe, Arts and Culture Coordinator for the City of Brantford.

In 2016, the Brant Skills Centre received a grant from the Brant Community Foundation to build and install 10 Little Free Libraries throughout the City of Brantford, painted by local artists. The Brant Skills Centre requested that the City of Brantford fund the artist fees for the project, through the Public Art Reserve Fund. Brantford City Council approved the request on April 24, 2017.

The Little Free Library in Brantford is a public art project aimed at inspiring a love of reading, building community, and sparking creativity in Brantford. This is a collaborative project between the City of Brantford, Brant Skills Centre, and Jono & Laynie Photo + Film. There are many benefits of installing Little Free Libraries, including: an enhanced sense of neighbourhood and community pride, free-wheeling exchange of books that is community-curated, giving staff insight into the values and interest of their community, and children, youth and adults of all ages, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds can participate equally, among countless other reasons. Lori Bruner, Executive Director of the Brant Skills Centre adds, “The Little Free Libraries will generate opportunities for people to access literature, which they may not otherwise have encountered. Opening a window into a wonderful world of information, viewpoints, cultures and ideas, the Libraries will allow readers to engage in life-long learning, and at the same time offer them an occasion to appreciate and reflect on the work of local artists.”

A partner-led jury will select ten artists through a process involving a visual proposal and written statement. The award will be $475.00 per Little Free Library. For more information about the Call for Artists, including a copy of the submission form, please click HERE.

For more information and photos, please contact:

Sara Munroe

Arts and Culture Coordinator

City of Brantford

smunroe@brantford.ca

519-751-9900 x5048