Lane Cove Street Libraries

A Street Library is where people share, leave and take books (for free).  It is a place where you meet fellow book lovers.  It’s also a way to ensure books are reused and recycled.

The Street Library movement has been gathering momentum for a while.  A not for profit organisation called Street Library has created a register of street libraries.

There are several Lane Cove Street Libraries on the street libraries register (many of them installed by Lane Cove Council).

Lane Cove Council Street Libraries

The libraries are located in:

• By Isabelle Shepherd – Helen Street Reserve, 37 Helen Street, Lane Cove North
• Soaring Thoughts by Maya Cheesman – Yorks Corner, 61 Tambourine Bay Road, Riverview
• Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright by Adam Long – Ludowici Reserve, Penrose Street, Lane Cove
• Other People’s Books by Ignacio Quereteja – 151 Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove
• Easy as ABC by Ignacio Quereteja – Lloyd Rees Park, Northwood Road, Northwood
• Diversity by Andre Braun – Kimberley Playground, 53 Kimberley Avenue, Lane Cove
• Tattle Tea by Yoanna Machowska – Stringybark Creek Reserve, corner of Centennial Avenue and Elizabeth Parade, Lane Cove
• Wonderland by Natalie Tso and Birrahlee Preschool students – Birrahlee Reserve, Burns Bay Road, Lane Cove
• By Anjali Abbey and Lane Cove Montessori Long Day Care students – Corner of Gay Street and Roslyn Street, Lane Cove North
• Bubble and Pop by Karri McPherson, Kindy Cove, Phoenix Street, Lane Cove
• ABC (Animal Book Club) by Amy Ge and Victoria Zhou, corner of Austin Street and Alpha Road, Lane Cove
• So Many People 2022 by Matt McLarty Tantallon Oval Playground.
• Streets of Your Town 2022 by Shana Danon 109 Greenwich Road Greenwich

   

Local and Sydney based artists and local community groups painted the little wooden boxes.

Each Street Library has a Custodian who is the local hero and caretaker of the designated Library. They let Lane Cove Council know if the libraries need fixing.

You can suggest a future location or become a local supporter who helps to monitor the libraries by emailing [email protected]. 

Further information here.

Private Street Libraries in Lane Cove Council Area

A famous street library is located in Longueville on the corner of Stewart and Dettmann Avenue.  Find out more here.  It’s lovingly nicknamed the Tardis (see below)

There is also another private street library on the list at 11 Marsh Place Lane Cove North. Find out more here.

In Greenwich, a street library is located at the corner of Ford and Bent Street Greenwich.  Find out more here.

How Do I Start My Own Street Library?

It can be a simple as putting a box of books on your fence with a sign saying FREE or HELP YOURSELF.  ITC has done this and our Postie loves it – he particularly likes John Grisham Novels.  However, if you want to build one, there are plans on the Street Library site here or you can purchase a kit from the Street Library organisation here.  You can then register your site on the Street Library interactive map.

Street Libraries in Shops

Another “street library” is located in Nibu Café.  Nibu Café is located in the Village Shopping Centre.  This street library was created by Lane Cove local Em Patterson.

There is also a book exchange at Home HQ in Artarmon – read more here

Do you know of any other street libraries in Lane Cove? Would you use a street library?