Keen to get the kids reading more without another trip to the library or expensive visit to a bookshop? A Street Library might be exactly what your neighbourhood needs.
Street Libraries have become a familiar sight around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, with dozens now dotted through the region. They’re one of the easiest ways to build a reading habit while getting to know the people who live around you.
What Is a Street Library?
A Street Library is a small, weatherproof book box installed out the front of a house, school, childcare centre or community space. Anyone walking past can take a book or leave one behind, no membership, no due dates, no fines.
The idea runs on trust and community spirit. The motto says it all: take a book, give a book, share a book.
Street Library Australia now counts more than 6000 registered boxes around the country, and the Hunter region has become one of the strongest pockets outside the major capital cities.
Why Street Libraries Are Great for Families
For parents, Street Libraries solve a few problems at once. They’re free, they’re open any time of day, and they’re usually just a short walk or scooter ride away. A quick stop at a Street Library on a school holiday walk is an easy way to fill an afternoon and swap out the bookshelf at home.
They’re also a genuinely nice way to meet neighbours. A few of the Hunter’s Street Library owners started theirs after noticing how many local kids would stop and browse, and ended up getting to know whole streets of families as a result.
Some councils have started experimenting with the idea in public spaces too. Randwick City Council installed a Street Library at Coogee Beach over summer, and it would be great to see Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils try something similar at our own beaches.
At the current time, there are many other Street Libraries in the region with the number expected to grow.
Finding a Street Library Near You
With so many Street Libraries scattered across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, and new ones appearing all the time, the easiest way to find one close to home is the Street Library Australia map. It’s kept up to date as libraries are registered, moved or retired, which makes it a far better source than any fixed list.
Search your suburb, and you’ll likely find at least one within a short walk or drive, whether that’s tucked outside a house, a school gate or a community centre. Or skip the map altogether and just keep an eye out next time you’re on a walk. Half the fun is stumbling across one you didn’t know was there.
How to Start Your Own Street Library
Setting one up is simpler than most people expect. You’ll need a weatherproof container, which can be anything from a purpose-built kit to an upcycled TV cabinet, an old wine fridge, a birdhouse or even a converted phone booth. Here’s some recommendations from Street Library Australia on how to make a street library.
Once completed, fill it with a mix of books for different ages, pop it out the front where it’s visible from the footpath, and register it on the Street Library website so locals can find it.
It’s a lovely small project to take on as a family, especially if the kids help choose which books go in first.
Books On The Avenue on Gregson Avenue in Mayfield West is a good example of how simple it can be. Owners Margaret and Geoff got started after Margaret saw a feature on Street Libraries on ABC TV, and Geoff built the box himself using upcycled materials, including an old TV cabinet and a kids’ chalk easel.
With a primary school age son at the time, they decided to stock both adult and kids’ titles, and being less than 60 metres from Mayfield West Public School means it gets plenty of passing foot traffic every school day.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Street Libraries run on an honesty system. Take what you like and leave something in return when you can.
Yes, they’re completely free and open to anyone.
Absolutely. Most owners welcome donations of books in good condition.
Requirements vary by council, so it’s worth a quick check with your local council before installing a permanent structure on your nature strip.
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