In front of house number 338 in Marina Bay Place stands a Little Free Library — a big birdhouse-looking structure filled with free books aimed at inspiring reading in the community.
This mini library stands tall on the front lawn of Sylvan Lake resident Susan Samson's house and is complete with a hinged door, which protects the precious books.
Samson welcomes community members to browse through the neatly stacked books of fiction and non-fiction adult easy reads.
She said she would like to see more books left in the library geared towards children.
“I'd like to have more of a selection which is for families, and not just adults,” Samson said.
She also invites people to share their books with the community by putting them in the mini library for others to enjoy.
“Libraries are for everyone and so is this,” Samson said. “It's an opportunity for people to share their favourite books with each other.”
This is the second season Samson has participated in the program. She said it's a fun, feel-good project, and is the only Little Free Library in Sylvan Lake.
Samson said the libraries are meant to promote a sense of community, and she would like to see more of them in town. She said the libraries don't necessarily have to be fancy — her father-in-law built hers out of recycled wood material.
Samson said she has never had any problems with having the library on her lawn, and has never found books scattered on her property.
“People are very respectful,” Samson said. “I've never had anyone throw books all over my lawn.”