Little Free Libraries | Teale Phelps Bondaroff

Little Free Library News

The Martlet, Sept. 25, 2025

Winners announced in Greater Victoria’s first ever Little Free Library Awards

This week, the winners of Greater Victoria’s first ever Little Free Library Awards were announced. The winners were revealed at the annual general meeting of the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN), who manage, maintain and map out all little free libraries (LFLs) in the region. LFLs are little book boxes that are built by residents of the Greater Victoria region that operate on the principle of “leave a book—take a book.”

The Martlet, Sept. 25, 2025

Placemaking Network celebrates 1 000th little free library

Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Saanich city counsellor and marine conservationist, has spent the last eight years running the Little Free Library (LFL) project across Greater Victoria. On Sept. 20, 2025, the community came together to celebrate the installation of the 1 000th LFL. Phelps Bondaroff first became involved in this project in 2015, after noticing more and more LFLs during his commute, cycling to work in Oak Bay every day. He reached out to The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network and soon after, he and his partner launched a campaign to update the LFL map. They added 86 previously unmapped libraries, bringing the number on the map from 25 to 111.

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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