Little Free Libraries | Teale Phelps Bondaroff

Little Free Library News

Seattle Times, Oct. 15, 2026

Victoria might be Canada’s prettiest city, but it’s also the most bookish

A volunteer-run network has mapped at least 1,061 little free libraries across the region that share books, and the map also lists 34 for plants and seeds and 29 for puzzles and board games. Even cruise passengers from the Alaska-run ships docked in Victoria stop to browse the shelves, and they come from around the world.

Spiller and Phelps Bondaroff deliver the 150,000th book the the Queen Mary LFL - Credit -

Victoria News, Sept. 29, 2026

150,000th book delivered to Greater Victoria little free library

Greater Victoria’s little free library network has reached a milestone with its 150,000th book delivered Tuesday. The Pocket Places project marked the occasion by delivering Trudy’s Healing Stone to the Queen Mary little free library near Dallas Road. The book was written by local Indigenous Gitxsan author Trudy Spiller, illustrated by Jessika Von Innerebner and published by Medicine Wheel Publishing.

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Saanich News, Sept. 26, 2026

2nd annual Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards launching this week

The best of the best little free libraries, as voted by the public, span as far as the literacy network itself for 2026. Winners of the second annual Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards were announced during a community picnic Sunday, Sept. 13, in Oswald Park. A total of 59 little free libraries were nominated by community members across 10 categories, with the awards presented by Teale Phelps Bondaroff, lead of the Pocket Places Project, which maps, promotes, and helps build the boxes across the Capital Regional District.

CBC News, Sept. 20, 2025

Book box boomtown: Greater Victoria celebrates more than 1,000 little free libraries

There are now more than 1,000 little free libraries registered with the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN), handily crafted by More and other community members. It's a feat made possible by the dedication and whimsy of a group of volunteers, readers and builders who have kept the number of new book boxes growing at an average of more than 100 per year since 2017.

Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock and Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff unveile the 900th LFL - C

Saanich News, May 26, 2025

Books and Bikes: Saanich celebrates region's 900th little free library

A roadside freebie hosts Greater Victoria’s latest little free library, the 900th mapped in the region. “Little free libraries are more than just book boxes – they're powerful placemaking tools that help turn neighbourhoods into communities,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, volunteer lead of the Pocket Places Project. “It’s incredible to see 900 of these delightful libraries across the region. They spark joy, encourage creativity, and act like coral reefs for community – drawing people together, fostering friendships, and connecting neighbours through the simple act of sharing stories. It is little surprise that our region is so enamoured with these adorable little free libraries.”

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Victoria News, July 22, 2024

Hand Drawn Victoria placed in Saanich little library as 100,000th book

A Greater Victoria organization dedicated to creating community, celebrated it’s 100,000th book and official designation of Placemaking Day in some communities Saturday (July 20).

Dozens of placemakers from across the region gathered in Saanich’s Rutledge Park to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN). As part of the celebration, the network delivered the 100,000th book of the Pocket Places Project to the little free library in the park.

Victoria News, May 2, 2024

Superheroes to hand out free comics this weekend in Victoria

It’s free comic book day at several of Victoria’s little free libraries this weekend, and some superheroes have arrived to make sure the comics get into the right hands. The Superheroes of Victoria will be at five little library locations in Fernwood between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 4.

Victoria Buzz, October 16, 2023

‘Little library extraordinaire’: Victoria man builds 50th Little Free Library

The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network and book enthusiasts are celebrating a huge milestone for Bruce More—the Little Free Library (LFL) extraordinaire. He recently built and installed his 50th LFL this fall at 731 Macan Place, which is being managed by Evamarie Nikelski and Chris Weicker. This passion project journey began in March 2021—as a retired Music Professor from the University of Victoria, he was looking for something engaging and creative to do.

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GVPN, June 13, 2022

Play Little Free Library Bingo

Did you know? Now you can create your own Little Free Library Bingo Card!

If you’ve ever visited more than one little free library, you’ve likely noticed the same book or author popping up: The Da Vinci Code, say, or one of Danielle Steele’s potboilers. Rather than get frustrated by this, we decided to come up with a fresh way to engage with Victoria’s amazing and expansive network of little free libraries (LFLs): Little Free Library Bingo!

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Times Colonist, August 17, 2021

Working on reconciliation, one free little library at a time

“Little free libraries are an incredible way to promote reading, start conversations with our neighbours, and create community,” Rankin said. “We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation and I am encouraged by the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s initiative to bring conversations and knowledge about reconciliation to Victoria neighbourhoods.”

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Times Colonist, February 17, 2021

Little free libraries like 'coral reefs for community'

Teale Phelps Bondaroff spends a lot of his time thinking about books. A couple of times a week he loads up a bike trailer, which can hold up to 250 paperbacks, and pedals around town delivering books to free little libraries in need of a top-up. The weekend before last, he delivered the 20,000th book to a little library in Saanich as part of a placemaking project started in 2017.

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