You’ve likely spotted one when out for a stroll—Little Free Libraries continue to pop up around Greater Victoria, including one modelled after its neighbouring heritage home in James Bay.
Found along Parry Street, the miniature library in front of Beckley Cottage serves a striking resemblance to the Queen Anne-style home that’s been around since the early 20th century.
“This one is shaped just like its house. It’s absolutely adorable! I love little libraries that look like their homes,” said TikTok user Teale P.B., in a video that gives an up-close look at the library.
@tealepb Visiting one of VictoriaBC’s newest #LittleFreeLibraries down in James Bay 📚🏠 #YYJ #BritishColumbia #LFLTok #BookTok #LittleFreeLibrary #LittleLibrary #BookBox #Placemaking
The Victoria Heritage Foundation says the hip-roofed Beckley Cottage, sitting 1 ½ storeys tall with gables on its front and right side, was built in 1901 on Simcoe Street before being relocated and restored in 1980.
Replicating the cottage’s unique features, including its front porch and green, beige and burgundy exterior colours, the library, accessible from the sidewalk, opens like a book to immerse visitors into the world of literature.
“This little library is jammed full of books; you’ve got fiction, non-fiction, books for kids, there’s even a DVD in there,” exclaimed Teale.
The Little Free Library was built by Ray Young and took six months to create.
It’s just one of the hundreds found across the region, offering a public space where people can meet to share books, ideas, or just small talk, according to the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN).
With the highest documented density of little libraries nationwide, the Capital Regional District announced in March that its 600th had been installed along Oak Bay’s Bowker Creek Walkway.
Locally, the libraries can also be found around downtown Victoria and in Saanich, Esquimalt and Langford, with some installed as far north as Swartz Bay and to the west near Jordan River.
Ready to read? Learn more about Greater Victoria’s Little Free Libraries and view a map pinpointing locations online here.
