Little Free Libraries and Pocket Places Project, images by Teale Phelps-Bondaroff
The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) is inviting people across the region to celebrate the magic of little free libraries (LFLs) by sharing their favourite real-life LFL stories. The call for stories is part of the lead-up to the network’s 1,000th Little Free Library Festival, a free community event happening on Saturday, September 20, from 4:30 to 8:30 pm at the Oaklands Community Centre (2827 Belmont Ave.).
Little free libraries are little book boxes that operate on the principle of ‘leave a book – take a book.’ They come in all shapes and sizes and can be found throughout the region. While most share books, there is a growing number of LFLs that share plants, seeds, toys, yarn, household items, board games, puzzles, art supplies, art, food, and more.
Since 2017, the GVPN has been running the Pocket Places Project, which maps, promotes, stocks, and helps build LFLs across the CRD. The Project is led by Teale Phelps Bondaroff, a volunteer with the GVPN, who you can regularly find cycling around the region with a bike trailer full of books topping up LFLs. To date, the project has delivered over 128,000 books to LFLs across the CRD, mapped out 1,000+ LFLs, and helped set up over 135 LFLs.
“Whenever I talk to someone about little free libraries, they always have a story to share. Sometimes it’s finding the next book in a series they were looking for, finding a book with a wacky title or cover art, but more often than not, I hear stories about how these humble little book boxes bring neighbours together, create connections between people, and ultimately how they help foster community,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, volunteer lead of the Pocket Places Project. “As we celebrate our region hitting the massive milestone of over 1,000 little free libraries, we want to celebrate this moment by capturing some of the amazing stories that people have to tell.”
Whether it was finding a particularly exciting read, growing a vegetable garden from seeds found at a local little free seed library, or making a new friend after bumping into someone at your local LFL, the GVPN wants to hear your story.
Members of the public are encouraged to share stories and photos with the GVPN by emailing vicplacemaking@gmail.com. Stories can be of any length, and those submitting stories are asked to include the name they would like attributed to the story. People are encouraged to submit their stories before the September 20th celebration, but submissions are always welcome. Select stories will be featured at the festival, on GVPN’s website, and on social media.
“Little Free Libraries are about so much more than books — they are sparks of connection,” said Bella Lee GVPN board member. “We hear over and over again that people meet, laugh, and share through these little boxes, and we want to capture some of these amazing and heartwarming stories.”
The 1,000th Little Free Library Festival will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 4:30 to 8:30 pm, at the Oaklands Community Centre (2827 Belmont Ave.). The family-friendly event will include live music, crafts, games, food, story-sharing, and of course, books. Festival details are available here.
Co-authored by Isabella Lee, Member of the Board, and Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Pocket Places Project lead, volunteer with Greater Victoria Placemaking Network.
