Just after the celebration of the 1,000th little free library (LFL) in the Greater Victoria region, a contest has been launched which is reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s golden ticket lottery in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
A total of ten ‘golden seal’ bookmarks have been placed in LFLs at random throughout the region in hopes that readers will embark on a literary scavenger hunt of sorts.
Local author Lorne Daniel has teamed up with the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s (GVPN) to make this initiative happen as a way to help launch his new poetry collection, What is Broken Binds Us.
The ten golden seal bookmarks which promote Daniel’s new book of poetry have been delivered to little free libraries (LFLs) across the region.
According to the GVPN, the winning bookmarks feature a golden seal with the word “Winner!” and instructions on how to claim a complimentary copy of his new book of poetry.
“People are such avid readers in Victoria,” said Daniel.
“I love the idea of tucking pieces of poetry into the community, just as Little Free Libraries tuck books into the everyday lives of readers. This collaboration brings both together in a beautiful way.”
Since 2017, the GVPN’s Pocket Places Project has grown into one of Canada’s most active LFL initiatives.
The GVPN has delivered 130,000 books, mapped 1,000 LFLs and helped build over 132 new libraries across the region.
“Little free libraries are coral reefs for community and they add whimsy to the urban landscape. They not only help connect people with books, and also with their neighbours,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, GVPN coordinator.
“I love that our region’s growing network of over a thousand little free libraries can help celebrate and share the work of amazing local authors, and wish everyone luck in the hunt for one of the special ‘gold seal’ bookmarks.”
Daniel’s new book, What is Broken Binds Us was published on September 15th by University of Calgary Press (Brave & Brilliant series).
It will be launched in Victoria at a reading event on October 7th. Details on this live reading have yet to be announced by Daniel.
To see a map of all of Greater Victoria’s LFLs, click here.
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