A community street library in Chisholm has had a literary boost for Book Week thanks to a local developer.
The popular book exchange located on Settlers Boulevard received a copy of each of the winning titles in this year’s Children’s Book of The Year Awards.
The donation was thanks to AVID Property Group, the developers behind the Waterford Living Estate in which the library is housed.
It comes as 25% of adult Australians admit they did not read or listen to a single book during 2021 – up 17% since 2017.
“To mark Book Week (20-26 August), we have shopped the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) 2022 Book of the Year Awards shortlist to ensure we’re celebrating Australian authors and including reads for the younger book lovers in the region,’’ AVID New South Wales project director Nathan Huon said.
“The initiative has gone from strength to strength with adults and children from the wider Chisholm community now sharing their favourite reads with other community members through the exchange.
“We hope [the books] become worn and dog-eared over time from passing through the hands of so many avid community readers.’’
The Chisholm street library, which started during the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020, has now amassed more than 30 books and welcomes readers from across the wider Chisholm region.
Installed outside The Kitchen at Waterford café, locals say it has encouraged a sense of community.
“My girls love going to the community street library on a weekend,’’ says Waterford resident Bianca Draffin.
“We have a milkshake and coffee while reading the many books that are available.”
Daniel Dwyer agrees.
“Our family walk up to the community street library and my son borrows a book for the week. It’s such a great idea.’’
The community street library, located at the kitchen at Waterford, works on a system of trust – residents are encouraged to donate books they no longer want and swap them for others they’d like to borrow.
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