Little boxes on stilts or attached to a wall, protected from the weather with a roof and a door, and filled with books.

They're street libraries - unofficial opportunities to give, take and share the love of books, often set up and managed by a passionate book lover in your town.

They may not hold as much as a municipal library, but they have two big advantages: you don't have to live in or travel to a main centre to have access; and they never shut (even in a lockdown).

These were at least a couple of the motivating factors when Kylie Needham set up Robertson's new street library two weeks ago.

"It's harder to get books at the moment," said Kylie.

"Shops and libraries are shut, and you can't meet up with friends and book clubs and swap books.

"And people are out on the street at the moment - now's the time!"

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She also pointed out that older people, who perhaps are feeling alone during the pandemic, have particularly appreciated it.

"It does engender a sense of belonging - you put something in and you feel like you're contributing," she said.

The Robertson Street Library was set up thanks to a grant from the Robertson Burrow Community Op Shop, a not-for-profit, community-owned and volunteer-run organisation that donates money raised in the shop to community initiatives.

The box itself was purchased from Street Library Australia, who've been supplying and supporting the street library movement for 12 years, and the post was built by Kylie's husband (artist Ben Quilty).

It joins countless others here in the Highlands, with many set up and managed by an individual, the location spread entirely by word of mouth.

For Kylie, the little library hits a number of targets.

"If you have a free library it gives access to books, but it also reduces waste," she said.

"So many people have a clear out and just throw books in the recycling - imagine how many other people could have enjoyed those books!"

A television scriptwriter by trade, Kylie is also finishing a Master of Creative Writing, and used the street library as a project for her final subject.

But mostly, she just loves books and wants to share the joy.

"My whole career is words, I aspire to write books myself, and I want to share that love," she said.

The finishing touches were provided by a couple of teenagers in Robertson, who painted the box, something Kylie hopes to see repeated in the future when another coat is needed.

"Each repaint we can have a little competition for the design," she said.

"The whole thing is a very fun, community-minded, environmentally-minded, small gesture - no one has to manage it and you get a lucky dip sensation when you open it."

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