The builder of the little library that lives on Alexander Street calls himself just one of many community caretakers.

Kristjan Marteinsson is very humble about his role in creating and maintaining the lending library sponsored by the Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society about eight years ago.

鈥淢y wife was on the board at the time, and volunteering, and she volunteered me to build this little house when the idea came up as something they were interested in doing,鈥� said Marteinsson. 鈥淏ut I was happy to do it, I like to build things.鈥�

In May, the library was knocked over, and it was uprooted again in the past two weeks, ending up damaging a neighbouring business鈥� window during its movement.

It is unknown if the damage was intentional or not but Marteinsson said he鈥檚 more than happy to keep fixing the library as long as he is able.

鈥淪omebody maybe has an issue with the world, and decided to take it out on the little library,鈥� he said, but added he doesn鈥檛 hold it against anyone or take it personally and understands accidents happen and people make mistakes.

鈥淚鈥檒l try to make the base a little more stable, maybe,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 there now, it鈥檚 known, I wouldn鈥檛 like to let it become derelict or fall apart.鈥�

Marteinsson said he is an avid reader, although his intake is mostly digital now for ease of reading.

鈥淭hat didn鈥檛 happen easily,鈥� he laughed, 鈥渂ut once I transfer things over for myself I鈥檓 just stuck in that world. Print still has its place in the world, it鈥檚 important, it helps people access stuff.鈥�

Marteinsson will continue in his role of caretaker but doesn鈥檛 believe it makes him special.

鈥淚鈥檓 just one of many in this community that takes care of something like this, so people can enjoy.鈥�

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rebecca.willson@saobserver.net
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