A little free library could be coming to Nose Creek Regional Park later this spring.
At their March 1 meeting, Airdrie City council discussed an email delegation from the 4th Airdrie Guides requesting to install a little free library in the park. Linda Neilson, the guide leader for the group, submitted an email asking for council’s approval of the installation.
“We have recently contacted the Airdrie parks department to request permission to install a little free library in Nose Creek Park,” Neilson wrote in her email. “Unfortunately, the parks department informed me that the City of Airdrie does not allow any free little libraries on public land due to liability reasons. We are requesting an exemption to that rule for our unit to place a free little library in Nose Creek Park.”
Often found in residential neighbourhoods, little free libraries are small boxes filled with books and bookshelves, usually attached to a post or stake in the ground. The idea is to take a book from the box and replace it with another book.
Neilson’s submission included letters written by the young girl guides, stating why they would like to install the library box in the park. Their reasons included providing free access to books, bringing community members together and encouraging literacy.
While Neilson said the guides are open to any location in the park, the written letters included suggestions to install the mini-library near the Gwacheon Totems, adjacent to the rainbow pathway or by the playground.
Council agreed the little free library would likely not pose a liability concern. Coun. Candice Kolson said installing a mini-library in Airdrie has been made more difficult than it should be.
After a brief discussion, Coun. Tina Petrow moved for City staff to report back to council on potential locations for little free libraries in Airdrie and their potential implications. The motion passed unanimously.
In her email, Neilson said the guides’ goal is to install the little free library by April.
