Sharon Hayes, resident of Kingsville and owner of Books on Empress. "I bought our current home in 1994 for $135,00…

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Resident of Kingsville

Business owner of Books on Empress

I bought our current home in 1994 for $135,000, after spending a few years living in Ascot Vale. It just doesn’t have the ‘mix’ and energising feeling of this area.

I am a teacher librarian in Marian College West, and absolutely love the multi-cultural and multi-faith environment. I’ve been there 10 years, working four days a week.

Reviewing books is naturally what I love doing, so when the idea of a street library presented itself, it was almost an extension of my job.

I have been following an American movement called ‘Little Free Library’; the free library along Somerville Road is part of the network.

I had planned on doing a street library for a long time. As my kids got older, I just had more time to think about it more. I was fascinated and loved watching the ‘Little Free Library’ movement growing; I liked the idea that people can swap a book, bring it to the book club, or to school.

I get total strangers coming up to me, and striking up a conversation with me. A common talking point is the cute little house the books reside in. I had it made from the Men’s Shed in Sydney, and my pets are painted on the house by local Melbourne artist Debbie Harman.

My brother-in-law was convinced it was going to be vandalized within a week. That’s his view of the Western suburbs!

The free library brings joy to people in the local area. Sitting at home, I love listening to a little kid standing outside my home, asking his or her parents “Is that a letter box?” It warms my heart to have the parent explain to little ones what a street library is.

I’ve even seen the local garbage man stop to take a look. There’s something about paper and a print book has over a kindle. A kindle just doesn’t feel the same. Researchers have pointed out that young people prefer to read books. It’s actually the older people who prefer to use kindle.

I plan to keep a mixture of young and adult books. This community has so many young kids around, so I intend to keep a healthy mix.

In my free time, I do a fair bit of yoga. My neighbour dragged me there one time, which became twice a week. I tried doing some at home but it gets manic with kids and the pets. My dog constantly gets underneath my nose!

Kingsville, when we first moved here, did not have as many older people compared to now. I see a lot of younger people and renovation. Drive around here and you can see a skip along every street.

There’s always been a good sense of community here. The neighbours all know each other really well. There is an old man who lives across the road who is never burgled, and I swear it’s because he is always walking up and down the place!

The librarian in me will rotate the books once a week, particularly books that have been sitting there for a few weeks. I know there are a few regulars who wander and borrow and take a book.

This year marks a small window of opportunity for my husband Brian and I, so we are heading off to Europe for a nice getaway. My neighbours and those in my book club in the local area will be replacing the books.

I’ve always been passionate about books; I am just lucky I can just indulge in it.

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