HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC - 2015-10-01 - Item 2 - Little Libraries Program
Draft: Little Library in Parks and Open Spaces Program Draft
Borrow a book and lend a book--a Little Library is neighbourhood gathering place that encourages
community connections and a love of reading. The contents of the wooden boxes in parks and open
spaces are maintained by volunteer stewards--Little Librarians--who ensure appropriate reading material
is available, and that the libraries remain intact and full of books. A Little Library in a park or open space
creates a connecting place for neighbours and encourages community members to be leaders.
The City of Kitchener has a commitment to encourage volunteerism, citizen leadership and
neighbourhood place-making.
The City of Kitchener recognizes Little Libraries in Parks and Open Spaces as a community development
activity.
Little Libraries in Parks and Open Spaces will be developed and run by residents with the City acting in a
facilitation and support role.
Community residents will identify one volunteer, at minimum, as the Little Librarian(s) who will:
1. Register as City of Kitchener Volunteer
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/VolunteerOpportunities.asp
2. On a map of your park (provided by City staff) indicate 2-3 preferred locations for the Little Library
to be installed. Consider how you will engage neighbourhood support for the preferred locations.
Operations will have approval of the location; final approval is given after Ontario 1 Call report is
provided to staff.
3. Cover the costs associated with the purchase of the Little Library structure and installation.
Residents may be eligible for the following City of Kitchener Grants:
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/grantprograms.asp#SafeandHealthy
4. Provide an assembled Little Library following the dimension specifications of Little Libraries of
Kitchener-Waterloo (www.llkw.ca). Paint and seal the Little Library in a community-friendly
manner.*
5. Follow structural requirements and installation procedures:
a. LLKW provides several options for assembly and installation of Little Library structures.
(www.llkw.ca).
b. Install on 8 foot pressure treated post (4’X4’) (maximum 48 inches above ground)
Please let City of Kitchener staff know if you have questions or concerns about installation.
“Call before you dig” to determine the location of all in-ground structures by contacting
Ontario One Call 1-800-400-2255. Contact with Ontario One Call is to be done by the
person who is responsible for digging the hole.. Proof of permission from the City of
Kitchener will be required by Ontario One Call. ,The report generated by Ontario One Call
must be shared with the City of Kitchener prior location final approval and digging.
There is typically a week lead time needed for this process. The volunteer must mark the
location for the post hole. The location will be checked for in-ground by the various
utilities. Once this is done, the volunteer will receive written documentation that the
location is clear for digging or not. If it is not cleared, a new location needs to be
determined with City of Kitchener Staff and Volunteer and the process of contacting
Ontario One must be completed again.
6. Promote the Little Library through a newsletter, website, or other means typically used to
communicate to neighbours. City of Kitchener staff can provide assistance in promotion of the
Little Library.
7. Clear snow with a shovel to allow for a clear path to the Little Library if it will be active during the
winter
8. Register the Little Library location on LLKW.ca website
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9. Monitor the Little Library to ensure only appropriate reading material is located with the structure
(i.e. books that would be found in a public library) and remove any inappropriate material or litter
as soon as possible
10. Alterations to the structure must be reviewed/approved by the City prior to carrying out the work.*
11. Report Vandalism or Grafitti to the City of Kitchener Contact Centre (519-741-2345)
*Please note for points 5 and 12: With the exception of battery operated drills/screwdrivers, power
tools are not permitted on City of Kitchener Property.
The City of Kitchener will facilitate and support Little Libraries in Parks and Open Spaces in the following
ways:
1. Assist community groups in finding suitable locations for Little Libraries to be installed. Suitable
locations will be in harmony with other activities in the park. Preferred locations will be reviewed
with Operations staff. (Please note: Not all parks and open spaces will be appropriate for a Little
Library.)
2. Request confirmation of neighbours’ support, if required.
3. Ensure that AODA standards are met. (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)
4. Prepare a stone dust pad around the post after the Little Library has been installed
5. Provide a point of contact for support from the City, as required
6. Connect with volunteers, at minimum every two years, to collect general neighbourhood
participation stories (utilization, how often, by whom, community connections) and to update
volunteer contact information.
7. Provide volunteers with relevant City of Kitchener information from time to time, if desired.
8. Provide support to volunteers for maintenance or repairs to the Little Library due to vandalism or
graffiti.
9. Upon resignation of the Little Library Coordinator or if terms of the program are not being met, the
City of Kitchener will work with the volunteer(s) and neighbours in support of the ongoing
operation of the Library. In the event that there are no interested volunteers from the
neighbourhood, the City may discontinue the program in that location.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for approval.
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To Apply:
Provide contact information of one adult, at minimum, interested in coordinating the Little Library in Parks
and Open Spaces program. Further details will be required in the City of Kitchener volunteer application
form.
Little Library Coordinator #1
Name
Telephone
Mailing address
Email address
Little Library Coordinator #2
Name
Telephone
Mailing address
Email address
Park name or location of open space:
Optional: Yes, I would like to hold a community celebration to promote the opening of the Little
Library in my neighbourhood.
Please submit this information to:
Linda Pretty, Administrative Assistant
Community Services Department
City of Kitchener, 200 King Street West, 7th Floor, PO Box 1118
Kitchener ON N2G 4G7
or via email to linda.pretty@kitchener.ca.
or at (519) 741-2200 ext. 7224
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Location:
Major Intersection:
Contact Number:
Volunteer Position Title Little Library Librarian
Why We Want You
The City of Kitchener has a commitment to encourage volunteerism, citizen leadership and
neighbourhood place-making -- a Little Library in a park or open space is one community
development activity that helps to engage community members as leaders and to create a
connecting place for neighbours.
Time Commitment Days: flexible Time: flexible
Number of Hours:
1- 2 hours --
Connecting with City staff about interest and location of Little
Library on public space
2 – 10 hours
-- Building and installing library
Weekly
visits to library – for on-going monitoring (librarian duties)
Commitment:
Minimum one year commitment to librarian role after it is installed
Volunteer Position
Flexible -local park or open space selected by the volunteer in collaboration with
Location
city staff
Key Responsibilities or
On a map of your park, provided by City staff, indicate 2-3 preferred locations for
Tasks
the Little Library to be installed. (City of Kitchener will have approval of the
location; final approval is given after Ontario 1 Call report is provided to staff.)
Register as City of Kitchener Volunteer
Ensure volunteer waivers are complete for Little Librarians and volunteers
assisting with assembly (if work is to be completed on location), and any
volunteers assisting with installation.
Engage with neighbours to confirm support for preferred locations
Purchase and install the Little Library structure
Provide an assembled Little Library following the dimension
o
specifications of Little Libraries of Kitchener-Waterloo (www.llkw.ca).
Paint and seal the Little Library in a community-friendly manner.
Follow structural requirements and installation procedures provided by the
o
LLKW(www.llkw.ca) and the City of Kitchener.
Install on 8 foot pressure treated post (4’X4’)
o
Let City of Kitchener staff know if you have questions or concerns about
o
installation.
Promote the Little Library through a newsletter, website, or other means typically
used to communicate to neighbours. City of Kitchener staff can provide assistance
in promotion of the Little Library.
Clear snow with a shovel to allow for a clear path to the Little Library if it will be
active during the winter
Register on LLKW website
Monitor the Little Library (weekly) to ensure only appropriate reading material is
located with the structure (i.e. books that would be found in a public library) and
remove any inappropriate material or litter as soon as possible
Review any proposed alterations with City contact for approval prior to carrying
out the work.
Report Vandalism or Graffiti to the City of Kitchener Contact Centre (519-741-
2345)
Contact your staff liaison if repairs/repainting is required due to vandalism. Funds
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may be available.
Skills, Experience and/or
Ability to purchase, build and install Little Library (some physical labour
Qualifications
required)
Age Criteria
18+ - for purchase, construction of Little Library and to complete
application/ waivers with City
Potential opportunity for family volunteering to reflect multi-generational reading
Considerations for the
Selection of the location of the Little Library will most probably be in the volunteer’s
Position
neighbourhood. If the volunteer librarian moves out of the neighbourhood, it would be
important for them to engage another neighbour to take on their volunteer role or, at the
very least, to contact staff to recruit for the position.
Boundaries
Use of power tools is not permitted in public parks or open spaces.Battery operated drills
are permitted.
AODA Requirements must be followed
Height (a maximum height of 48 inches from ground to the top of the little library
box) and stability of the library must ensure children and persons in wheelchairs
can reach to access books out of the little library.
Use of contrasting colours will help people read any text on library.
Placement of the little library box should consider if a person with a mobility aid,
such as a walker or a wheelchair can easily access the little library (e.g. entrance
way of a park would be a more accessible than at the top of a hill)
Content must be monitored– volunteer librarians will be responsible for monitoring the
content of their library and will remove inappropriate material as required
Orientation and Training
AODA information will be shared
LLKW site provides guidelines re: structural requirements and installation
procedures
City staff will go over the expectations of the role, contact information and
succession planning.
City staff will collaborate with volunteer regarding neighbourhood engagement
regarding the preferred locations.
Staff will provide volunteers with relevant City of Kitchener information from
time to time, if desired.
What Is In It For You
Creating a community hub for readers
Sharing your love of reading and books with others
Gaining understanding how the City collaborates with volunteers and
neighbourhood groups on projects
Evaluation
Staff will connect with volunteer librarians once every two years at minimum to
collect general neighbourhood participation stories (utilization, how often, by
whom, community connections) and to update volunteer contact information.
Minimum # Volunteers
one
Screening In Person or Phone conversation with staff contact to review role
description and program
Online Application through Volunteer Resources
Who you will Report To: Name:
Title: Resource Centre Coordinator/District Facilitator/Programmer
Location:
Phone:
Email:
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