IF YOU drive down to Harrison Crescent, just beyond the Yana Street turnoff and before Jaycee Park, you will find a very little library.
At first glance it looks like a big birdhouse, or maybe a colourful letterbox painted in hues of blue, red and yellow.
But when you venture closer you see it’s not birds or mail inside, but books.
The tiny lending library is part of a worldwide literacy promoting movement known as the Little Free Library.
Unlike a regular library there are no library cards, no due dates and no overdue fees.
The library down at Harrison Crescent is the brainchild of Wendy Yates, who first came across the idea on the Instagram account of an American friend.
Two months later the first little free library in the Mallee was born, and was officially open for business this week with a variety of reading material inside — from kids books to adult non fiction.
Ms Yates hopes the petite library, lovingly painted by her husband, fosters a sense of real connectedness among the community, as people head down to swap and donate their books.
“It’s just at the front gate — they don’t have to come and knock on my door,” she said.
“They can just drop them at the front door, or if there’s room in the library they can stick them in there.
“There’s a seat next to it they can sit and have a read.”
The tiny library was made by Ms Yates’ friend from the Swan Hill woodwork group and like the thousands of other little libraries across the globe, was designed to be cheerful and inviting.
“People have made them out of all sorts of things,” Ms Yates said.
“Old chests of drawers, old bits of wood — that’s part of the appeal, they’re all different.”
While some people have questioned the logic of the library’s location, Ms Yates isn’t worried.
“[Harrison Crescent] has its moments but most people are good… it’s like everywhere,” she said.
“People might screw up their nose but it’s fine.”
The library is already having the desired effect with locals heading down to borrow books, and Ms Yates herself is one of the first to reap the benefits.
“I’m not a real big reader but since I’ve started this I’ve probably read more than I ever have,” she laughed.
Pick up Friday’s Guardian (November 6) for more great stories.
