How this mother of six is promoting reading through her free Street Library in Kellyville
NINA Martelli and her six children are sharing their love for reading with their neighbourhood through the unique Street Library in Kellyville, which allows people to borrow books for free.
Rouse Hill
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A LOVE for reading and the need to share it with others is proving a great neighbourhood story for residents at Kilbenny St, Kellyville.
Nina Martelli and her six children are sharing their love for reading with their neighbourhood through the unique Street Library concept which allows people to borrow books for free.
Ms Martelli became interested in the Street Library — which began in the USA — because she wanted to share the love of reading with her community.
Ms Martelli, a volunteer with the local Salvation Army branch, then built her own weatherproof book shelf and started the project with 20 titles.
“The idea is to help yourself to the books and people can return them or add to the collection,” Ms Martelli told the Times.
“We have 100 units in the street and I think not many in the community can afford books.
“My family loves to read and lots of people love the street library and send me notes of appreciation.
“Books are free to borrow and just this morning, one gentlemen dropped off two bags of books.
“I love the community spirit.”
“There are a variety of books as we cater for children too.
“I began with 20 books and now there are 40, which is the maximum we can keep there.
“The more people read books, the better it is for their eduction.”
Ms Martelli said the Salvation Army store donated books at the start while the book store at the Baulkham Hills arcade had also gifted them books.
“That’s a sweet idea,” one happy woman wrote to Ms Martelli. “Thank you for your effort to promote community spirit.
“Best wishes for a successful project.”
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WHAT IS STREET LIBRARY?
■ It's a home for books in the front yard of a house and is accessible from the street.
■ It is an invitation to share the joys of reading with neighbours.
■ People can simply reach in and take what interests them; when they are done, they can return them to the library network, or pass them on.
■ Anyone can just pop it into any street library they happen to be walking past.
■ They are a symbol of trust and hope
■ Volunteers behind the project hope to have 500 such libraries around Australia within three years
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