Sarah Oliver
The Taylors Hill Men’s Shed has been working hard in their workshop to deliver ‘street libraries’ to families across Melton.
Resident and avid reader Silvana David approached the group to make a library to sit outside her property to encourage others to keep reading throughout the pandemic.
“I wanted to create more of a network around my area of more street libraries so that the community has the opportunity to access more books,” she said.
After the library gained popularity, Ms David asked the group to build two more to give to families in the area.
“The Men’s Shed love creating projects for their community and really need to be acknowledged for the work that they do,” Ms David said.
Team leader and a builder of the street libraries, John Owen, said the libraries have been very popular.
“It gives us something to do and gives back to the community at the same time,” he said.
The Taylors Hill Men’s Shed has been running for five years, with COVID affecting their ability to meet up for the duration of lockdowns.
But next year, Mr Owen said they will be getting back to what they want to do.
“The thing about the Men’s Shed – it gives the guys something to do, and people to talk to.”
Dennis Miles, who is a member of the shed and also helped to create the libraries said the project was “a great idea” and that he’s looking forward to getting back next year and taking on a few more projects.
Details of Street Libraries: streetlibrary.org.au/
Details of the Men’s Shed: bit.ly/3EDr9B3
