Colo Vale is the latest community to introduce an initiative that has gained world-wide popularity.
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A new street library introduced on the grounds of Colo Vale Public School is the latest of more that 90,000 similar libraries registered in 91 countries.
And as far as the community members are concerned the new addition is much more than a box for books.
Resident Sue Ellis said the street library was a way to raise literary standards, get people to pause a bit longer, have a chat and build those community networks where unexpected friendships bloomed.
Street libraries are based on The Little Library movement in the USA where the founder Todd Bol installed a library on his front lawn in Wisconsin 11 years ago as a tribute to his mother, a former teacher and avid reader.
When it became a neighbourhood hit, he realised that people were craving conversation as much as books.
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The Colo Vale Street Library has well and truly been a community effort.
Sue said Meryl Gross, who has lived in Colo Vale for 32 years, had the foresight and community spirit at heart when she proposed that local readers had books to share and a street library would be advantageous.
She said the idea gained momentum when Anne and Geoff Wood took on the project, with Geoff sketching a plan.
"Robert Ellis, a local, talented in woodcraft, took on the project with great enthusiasm, bearing in mind it would have to be waterproof and sturdy enough to hold the weight of many books," Sue said.
"Anne Wood, librarian at the Colo Vale Public School was instrumental in approaching the principal, Nina Culleton, who gave permission for the street library to be installed on school property, at the corner of Wattle and Azalea Streets."
The end result is a social community hub for local book lovers of all ages.
Sue said "strangers start up conversations, asking each other what they were reading this week."
"Locals leave books knowing they will find new homes within hours after being placed in the street library. The books are free to borrow or keep and can be returned or exchanged for another book."
