2nd annual Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards launching this week

Everyone loves the little free libraries (LFLs) scattered throughout Greater Victoria!

This week, the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) is launching the second annual Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards to show off the best of the best, and encourage people to add more to the community’s stock. 

LFLs come in all shapes and sizes, and all operate on the principle of ‘leave a book—take a book.’ 

While most contain gently used books, some little libraries share plants, seeds, puzzles, board games, household items, toys, art, art supplies, pet toys, yarn, food and much more.

LFLs are a part of the GVPN’s Pocket Places Project, which maps, promotes, stocks and helps build these libraries across the Capital Regional District. 

Since 2017, the project has delivered over 148,000 books, mapped out over 1,024 LFLs, and helped set up 142 little libraries.

To celebrate our region reaching the 1,000th LFL milestone last year, the Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards were launched. Due to the success of the awards, they are back for their second iteration this year. 

“Last year, we launched the Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards to celebrate all the creativity, care, whimsy and love that goes into creating and maintaining our region’s amazing network of little free libraries, and they were a huge success,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, volunteer lead of the Pocket Places Project. 

“I hope that this year’s awards inspire people to get involved in placemaking in their communities.” 

This year, the categories for the Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards include:

• Best plant/seed LFL
• Best puzzle/board game LFL
• Most verdant green roof
• Best children’s LFL
• Most creative LFL
• Best LFL with a fish on it
• Best LFL that looks like another thing
• Best LFL built from upcycled/reused materials
• Best Gulf Islands LFL
• Coral Reef LFL – best associated placemaking element(s) 

The awards official launched at the Oaklands Sunset Market on Wednesday, July 22nd. 

Submissions and nominations are now open to the public, who are encouraged to put forward their favourite LFLs across the ten categories, with the nomination period ending at noon on August 12th. 

Once the nominations are in, people will then be invited to vote on their favourites between August 12th and September 8th at 10 p.m. Winners will then be announced at a community event on September 13th.

“Last year it was incredible to showcase our region’s Little Free Libraries, and spotlight the uniqueness of each one, and bring together communities that love and enjoy the LFLs in their neighbourhoods,” said Bella Lee, board member with GVPN.  

“For folks that have borrowed a book, this is the best time to give back to your Little Free Library, and celebrate the many others you pass by, or are wowed by online.”

Submissions can be made online here.