A handmade little free library set up along a walking trail in Cunningham Park was repeatedly vandalized within days of being installed, prompting its owner to remove it for safety. Sarah Black says the book exchange box was a birthday gift from her boyfriend, built by hand and meant for her and the community to share stories. “I’ve always loved reading my whole life and a few years ago, these free libraries started popping up around different neighbourhoods all across the city and other cities and it was just such a sweet idea,” she said. “When I spoke to my neighbours before it was installed, everyone was so excited, and they were saying we’re going to have a ribbon cutting ceremony.” The library went up last Monday evening along the trail behind their home in Alta Vista, but by the next morning, Black says it was vandalized. “The door had been ripped off, the light had been ripped out, there was a note on it,” Black said. The note warned her that Ottawa bylaw had been called, telling her she didn’t own the park and to install it on her own property. The vandalism didn’t stop there. “Later that day, when I got home from work and came out, it had been hammered with a sledgehammer. The back was punched out, the next morning it was egged.” Black says she had started the process of getting the city’s permission for the installation and wasn’t aware she needed the city’s sign-off before putting it up. Less than a week after it was installed, she took the library down herself. “To repeatedly violently damage it, that was quite frightening,” she said. “I saw it escalating and we thought this is just not safe for someone to be wielding a sledgehammer in the middle of the day.” Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr says little free libraries are allowed in city parks, but residents need to complete the city’s process before installing anything on public land. “I’ve heard concerns from people that it had to be removed, asking why it was removed,” said Carr. “There’s a process to work through with the city, it’s a little bureaucratic, but if it’s on city property, they want to make sure to minimize the liability and make sure the permissions are there.” In a statement, the City of Ottawa says free little libraries are permitted on the city’s right of way, provided they comply with regulations outlined in the Use and Care of Roads bylaw. “While there is no formal application process, residents interested in installing a little library in a public park should reach out to the City to discuss their plans. Residents should ensure they have information on the proposed unit, their preferred location within the park, and any relevant details about how the library will be stocked and maintained,” said the city’s general manager of recreation, cultural and facility services Dan Chenier in a statement. The city says some of the considerations staff will review include the location of the park, accessibility of the library, safety standards and city policies. “Residents are encouraged to collaborate with City staff to ensure their little library enhances the park experience for all,” Chenier writes. Despite the setback, Black says she’s determined to turn the page and bring the library back. “My heart is a little broken and my spirit’s a little battered… we’re going to relocate it… I think the neighbourhood wants it and they deserve it,” she said. The city also allows little free libraries on the public right-of-way, the strip of land near the curb of a home, but a signed letter of acknowledgment needs to be submitted and the rules followed in its bylaw.
