Books And Stories Available All Year Round

The Hinchinbrook Shire Library remains closed due to flooding, and the Halifax Library is open under limited opening hours, but Street Libraries are open around the shire.

Lynn Romano created a Street Library Last year at the bus shelter at Toobanna State School, so avid readers or travellers can read books and magazines at any time.

“My son, he loves to read. I have to say, I'm not a big reader myself, but I know reading is something we should do,” said Lynn.

“We do a bit of traveling with the caravan, and we have seen libraries in other places, and I just thought, well, it would be a great thing to have locally so people could access free books.

“When we've been in caravan parks, people would often leave books in the camp kitchen, they were passing them on in that way. So that was part of the journey and thinking about what to do here.

“It's near the school, I know lots of kids don't really like reading much and don't actually have many books. I just thought it might be a good place to have it. It's easy for people travelling past, easy for kids and for people in the community as well.”

Despite Toobanna school and homes receiving flooding, Lynn said that the library was safe, and the airtight container left the books with zero damage or mould.

“I went back to check it was okay after the flood and I put extra books in. It is quite full with books and magazines now,” said Lynn.

Lynn said that Street Libraries are all about sharing books in a free exchange.

“You don't have to leave books if you don't have any, but if you have something that you've already read, why not pass it on to somebody else?” said Lynn.

Street Libraries are all about inviting neighbours, travellers, or other community members together in sharing the joy of reading.

There is also a Street Library located on Hawkins Street in Ingham.