Beats Bites and Book Live Auction
This Saturday, the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) and the Oaklands Community Association hosted the Beats, Bites, and Books Festival to celebrate one thousand little free libraries in the region. This event drew several hundred people from across the region to celebrate this big little free library milestone for the CRD.
The event featured a little free library ‘Petting Zoo,’ where people could see examples of LFLs from around the region; crafts and a cozy reading circle for kids; information tables from a number of local organizations, including the Greater Victoria Public Library and Victoria Literacy Connection; a free book pickup; and live music and food trucks, curated by the Oaklands Community Association. The event was also attended by the Superheroes of Victoria, who distributed free comic books and graphic novels to attendees, and who were very popular.
The event also included a live auction, with proceeds going to support the work of the Victoria Literacy Connection. The LFLs on the auction block included one shaped like a lighthouse (with a functioning solar-powered light), built and donated by ‘I Used To Be A Pallet,’ and three built by local LFL-builder extraordinaire Bruce More. Bruce has built over 100 LFLs, and the auction featured his 99th, 100th, and 101st creations.
Little Free Library contest is now open!
The event marked the launch of the 2025 Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards. The GVPN is looking for members of the community to nominate their favourite LFLs to be recognized by an award. Anyone can nominate a LFL. Someone may only nominate one LFL for one category, but they are welcome to nominate multiple LFLs for different categories.
The prize categories are:
- Best Plant/Seed LFL
- Best Boardgame/Puzzle LFL
- Most Verdant Greenroof
- Best Literary Themed LFL
- Cutest LFL
- Most Creative LFL
- Best LFL with a Bird On It
- Best Organized LFL
- Best LFL That Looks Like Another Thing
- Best Upcycled/Reused LFL
Members of the public can nominate a LFL and vote for their top picks here. Nominations will be closed at the end of the day on October 20th, 2025, with online voting continuing until the end of the day on November 6th at 4 pm. Winners and runners up will be announced at the GVPN’s 2025 AGM, held on November 13th, 2025. Winners do not need to attend the AGM, though it is strongly encouraged. Ribbons will be awarded to the winning LFLs!
The GVPN is grateful to the City of Victoria for supporting this event through a ‘My Great Neighbourhood Grant,’ and to volunteers from the Claremont Key Club, the GVPN, and the community, who helped make this event a huge success.
Co-authored by Isabella Lee, Member of the Board, and Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Pocket Places Project lead, volunteer with Greater Victoria Placemaking Network.
