What started as a grassroots project in a small Wisconsin town 15 years ago has become a global trendsetter, with Penticton among the communities to join in on the fun.

There are now close to 20 "little libraries" in Penticton, as of November 2024.

The idea dates back to 2009 when a Hudson, WI man built a mini library on his front lawn to pay homage to his mother, a school teacher who loved to read.

According to Little Free Library — a Minnesota-based non-profit —  around 150,000 "little libraries" have since been built in more than 120 countries.

In Penticton, the trend on public land started after the Beyond Words book club applied for grant funding and worked with local high schools to build structures and stock their shelves with books.

Although "little libraries" had already been seen on private properties across the community — including a 2014 structure on 580 Braid Street — the local book club helped open the city's first structure on public land in 2022.

Books are offered on a "take a book, leave a book" system, according to the city.

"It's the perfect weather to curl up with a good book," the city said in a social media post on Thursday after a new "little library" popped up in the community.

"We just love this latest submission," its post reads. "The owner's family created the 'Little Castle' in memory of her mom, whose maiden name was "Little" and married name was 'Castle.' She was an avid reader and loved visiting the library."

A full map of where "little libraries" are located across North America can be found

Community members are encouraged to curl up with a book and visit each of the following "little library" locations in Penticton:

• Penticton Community Centre

• The Little Castle (back alley of Bennett and Penticton avenues, near Government)

• 1718 Ridgedale Avenue

• 580 Braid Street

• 168 Ponderosa Place

• 238 Douglas Avenue - "Ollie's Lending Library"

• 2563 Evergreen Drive

• 412 Conklin Avenue (this is said to be the first structure of its in Penticton, according to the city)

• 403 Conklin Avenue

• 765 Toronto Avenue

• Penticton Safety Village, 90 Edmonton Ave

• Kiwanis Court, 360 Brunswick St.

• 1604 West Bench Drive (at West Bench Elementary)

• 'Books at the Barn' - Green Mountain Road 

• Near 191 Dewdney Crescent

• 140 Craig Drive 

• 153 Bennett Avenue 

• 692 Vancouver Avenue

• 126 Middle Bench Road North