COVID-19 Update: 19/05/20
We are rapt to let you know that some of our Lilliput Library community book swapping hubs are back up and running again…
The Covid-19 Committee decreed Lilliput Libraries a non-essential service at the start of lockdown (goodness knows how come:-)) and suggested we could look at opening again when public libraries did…which happened on Monday, May 18.
Depending on each of our volunteer Lilliput guardians, Lilliputs are now open with full quarantine measures, on a “borrower beware and please take care” basis or will wait a little longer.
Yay!!!
We believe it is now safe to have these little community rays of sunshine operating again, but please do be careful to make sure they do not become germ vectors. If you are sick, please do not touch them.
Remember the virus can stay alive for up to 24 hours on paper or cardboard and three days on plastic, so maybe pop them in the garage for a few days before reading and make sure you wash your hands after doing so.
If Kiwis aren’t clever and careful enough and we end up going back to Level 3 or 4, we will have to close them again sorry.
Be safe, healthy and kind out there…
Catalyst Trust launched this community book swapping initiative in November 2016. “These tiny libraries are bringing joy and spreading knowledge wherever they appear”. – Crux
About the Lilliput Library Initiative
Based on a model set up by Dunedin’s Poems In The Waiting Room charity in 2015, these little boxes of literature bolster community and the opportunity to read and recycle loved books. People are invited to browse, borrow, take or leave a book. What’s not to love?
Our first two Lilliputs were installed on Kelvin Peninsula, sponsored by Kelvin Peninsula Community Association and painted by local artists. Already our network has grown to 14 Lilliputs around the district (see the map below) – with more on the way.
We have had fantastic support from Mitre 10 MEGA Queenstown, Queenstown Library and Resene – who provide materials, books and paint for all our libraries – and Landsker construction, who built 10 of them. The Taieri Blokes Shed team built our first two Lilliputs and Hugh Skinner is our current library builder. You can spot the unique Lilliput library built by a local family as a Christmas project with their grandad on one of our great bike trails.
Find Your Nearest Lilliput Library
Start Your Own Lilliput Library
None of this could happen without our guardians – the fabulous people who look after the Lilliputs. If you would like to be a guardian of a Lilliput library in your neighbourhood, please contact us through connect@catalystnz.org and we will let you know what is involved.
If you would like to check out the Dunedin Lilliput Library network, check out their Facebook or website.