Living her little library dream

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This article was published 06/10/2015 (3818 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mary Ann Dueck has a new way of sharing her love of reading with the community.

When the Normand Park resident turned 60 recently, her family and friends surprised her with a Little Free Library, which is located at the edge of her front garden. Along with her husband, Neil, Dueck is now the steward for the Mary Ann’s Free Little Library.

“It was a complete surprise,” Dueck said. “My daughters and daughter-in-law got together and planned it. I came home from the cottage — they had to fib to get me back in the city — and there were 40 people in my driveway for a party and an unveiling ceremony.”

The Little Free Library movement is intended to promote literacy and engage people’s passion for reading by encouraging free book exchanges, as well as foster a sense of community. And the premise is simple. Initially, the Duecks will stock the library with a variety of good quality books so neighbours can stop by and take whatever book catches their eye. When they return the item, individuals are also asked to contribute books of their own to the library when they can. 

    
“The little library encourages reading  for people of any age, and it also encourages community interaction and it’s a chance to meet the neighbours,” Dueck said.

She said her daughter, Carlee Igoniwari, came up with the idea of producing stickers so that neighbours can identify themselves when donating a book, if they desire.

Igoniwari, 34, said guests at her mom’s birthday bash were asked to each bring a book for the library instead of a gift, which helped get the little library off to a flying start.

“The idea is for you to put your favourite books in the library, not bottom of the barrel stuff. We have more books than room, so we’ve been trying to rotate them,” Igoniwari said.

Igoniwari described her mom’s love of books as exceptional.

“In our home growing up, our playroom was filled with books — so much so that my friends would call our house the library,” she said.

“We would go to the library most Saturdays before doing our chores, but we weren’t allowed to read the books we’d taken out until after we’d done our chores,” she said.

Dueck, a mother of four, said children’s books have been particularly popular in the library so far, and she hopes it will be especially useful for youth in the community during the winter if they can’t get to a library.   

And as often happens in life, things have come full circle for Dueck, who spent a decade as one of the librarians at the Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite Church and now doesn’t have as far to go to get to her nearest library.

“I’ve always dreamed of being a librarian or owning a little book shop. Now that dream has come true,” she said.

Dueck lives on Marine Drive in the Van Hull Estates area. For the exact location of the library, email dueckmaryann@gmail.com.

simon.fuller@canstarnews,com

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