“Mini” Rotary project promotes literacy by making books even more accessible

Following an out-of-town visit to a different municipality a few years ago, Whitecourt Rotarian
Holly Astill (Community Service Projects Coordinator) brought an idea back with her and
decided to test it out in her own front yard. What she might not have expected was the joy the
project would result in for herself in watching others use it.
The project was a mini library, and her busy front sidewalk was the perfect spot for it. “We
happen to have two bus stops in front of our home, which is why I wanted to place it there. We
also happen to have a decorative bench on our property, and it’s one of my greatest thrills to
look out in the morning and see children waiting for the bus, sitting on the bench, reading a
book. It makes my day.”
The success at her corner lot at 30 Park Drive inspired another Rotarian to place one in their
front yard. From there, Astill reached out to Rotary about officially becoming involved. “I brought
it up and indicated that we are very much a supporter of literacy and children in particular. I
thought that would be a great project for Rotary, and of course, Rotary jumped on board,” she
explained.
On Wednesday, May 1, two more mini libraries were placed, blazoned with Rotary stickers,
thanks to a donation from Topline Promotions. “The big premise is community but also that
literary is so important. What fun to be able to take a book, leave a book or even browse
through them and see what’s in there,” said Astill.
Rotary is an international club, and literacy worldwide is a significant pillar of its focus. “We are
very fortunate in Canada that our literacy rates are much higher than those of developing
countries. Having said that, literacy is still on our radar, too, because of so much social media
and people being online. It’s never a bad idea to have books in the hands of children, adults,
and anyone interested in reading. It’s of huge importance to make sure people can read,”
explained Astill.
The newest mini libraries are on the corner by the Whitecourt Fire Hall and at 37 Sunset
Boulevard in front of Crestview Apartments. The Rotary Club received permission from the
Town of Whitecourt and Crestview to place the structures. She said they might look into putting
more out in the future and have already received requests.
Astill said the Whitecourt Public Library had also been a big help. “As soon as we even
mentioned it, they were in huge support of it. They’ve put some mini libraries out in the
community and helped others. They are very generous whenever I need some books in the mini
library in front of my home. They always have used books at the back that I can purchase for a
small amount, or they give me extra books. The extra mile they’ve gone to support the project is
huge.”
The mini library project also ties in with a program that Rotary is part of, thanks to a generous
and well-known country singer from the USA. “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a
program that Dolly Parton herself started in the United States. She grew up very poor and
started this to bring books to children that would never have a book of their own.” The program
has since expanded and is now in five countries: the USA, the United Kingdom, Australia,

Canada, and the Republic of Ireland. Nearly three million children are registered for it, and over
230 million books have been given out since it started.
“The program that Rotary supports here in Whitecourt is through her foundation. Children aged
0-5 can apply and get a book mailed to them each month for free. Parents can sign up on our
website. The books are age-specific for your child’s age, but they also have a lot of Canadian
content. They also try, when two books go to the same household, not to duplicate them, and
they change the books all the time. What a thrill it is for a child to open the mailbox every month
and have a brand-new book addressed to them that they can read,” said Astill.
Local Rotary Clubs keep track of everyone who signs up in their area, and if someone moves
without reregistering their new address, the books are sent to the club. Now, those extra books
will have somewhere to go. “Sometimes we give them out if we are at a trade fair, but we also
use those books to put into our mini-libraries,” explained Astill. “It all ties together.” Thanks to
the Whitecourt Rotary Club, many local families are getting to enjoy Dolly Parton’s generosity in
more ways than one.
Whitecourt has several mini-libraries, including ones on Wedow Drive, Whitecourt Avenue and
at Astill’s home on Park Drive. The newest two, the red one at the Fire Hall and the blue one in
front of the Crestview Apartments (uptown, near the hospital and AJMC), are up and ready to be
enjoyed. Residents are encouraged to take a book, leave a book, or take a peek.