Connie and Bruce More, with Pocket Places Project Lead Teale Phelps Bondaroff
At the heart of Greater Victoria’s thriving Little Free Library (LFL) community is a man whose dedication and creativity have helped transform the region into Canada’s LFL capital. Meet Bruce More, the ‘Little Free Library Builder Extraordinaire,’ whose handcrafted creations have been quietly shaping our community over the past three years. Bruce has built and gifted over 75 LFLs, and his contributions have had a remarkable impact in helping promote literacy, fostering community and connection, and supporting placemaking across the region.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, LFLs are public book-sharing boxes that operate on the principle of ‘leave a book, take a book.’ They come in all shapes and sizes, some focused on specific genres like poetry or children’s books, while others go beyond books to share seeds, plants, toys, puzzles, and even art. These tiny book boxes invite people to pause, explore, and interact with their neighbours, creating what urbanists sometimes call “bumping spaces” – places where people can connect and bump into one another.
The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s Pocket Places Project maps, promotes, stocks, and builds LFLs throughout the Capital Regional District (CRD). The Project has helped set up over 135 LFLs and distributed more than 100,000 books to LFLs across the region. In fact, our region boasts the highest documented density of LFLs in Canada, with 878 book-sharing libraries, 28 that share plants and seeds, and 23 dedicated to puzzles and board games.
Bruce More has played a central role in the local LFL community. His LFLs are built from upcycled materials, turning everyday items like bathroom cabinets, record boxes, china hutches – and even a kayak – into unique, functional public treasures. His work has filled a crucial gap. While many people are eager to host an LFL, not everyone has the skills or tools needed to build one. Thanks to Bruce, more people have been able to host these delightful little community-builders in their neighbourhoods.
But Bruce’s contributions go beyond carpentry. LFLs do more than just share books – they create opportunities for human connection. These “coral reefs for community” provide spaces where people can meet, and conversations happen naturally. Whether you’re discussing a favourite novel, a fantastic LFL find, or that one book you haven’t managed to get your hands on, LFLs offer a simple yet profound way for neighbours to meet and engage.
The ripple effect of Bruce’s work is immense. Not only have his LFLs brought books and joy to countless neighbourhoods across the CRD, but some have travelled as far as Tahsis, where one now serves as a beloved feature in a local park. Bruce’s creativity shines in each of his designs, but perhaps the most whimsical of all is the LFL he built out of half a kayak for a local kayak shop. It’s a true testament to his ability to bring fun and community spirit into every project.
This month, Bruce was honoured for his work by the City of Victoria, with a Community Impact Award.
City of Victoria Community Impact Awards and Great Neighbourhoods Presentations
Guest Author Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff
Visit Teale’s Blog / Website: https://www.teale.ca/
