Lismer Little Library - Kanata, ON
Posted by: 
elyob
N 45° 20.060 W 075° 54.650
18T E 428631 N 5020495
In Scouts Canada, the Chief Scout's Award is the highest award that a Scout can earn.
Waymark Code: WM119NX
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 09/12/2019
Views: 5
In 1976, the Boy Scouts of Canada became known as Scouts Canada. By 1998, female participants were accepted in all sections of scouting.
Torrin Kuhl, member of the 1st Kanata Scouts, earned her Chief Scout's Award through a community service project which included the creation of this Little Free Library, officially chartered as #83229. The Little Free Library web site confirms this library as a community service project for Torrin's Chief Scout's Award.
Additionally, the local newspaper Community Voice included an article about Torrin's award. The newspaper article is transcribed below.
BY ANIL JHALLIA
15-year-old Earl of March student was inspired to build Kanata’s newest library after a recent stroll through a downtown neighbourhood with her parents.
Torrin Kuhl noticed several mini libraries on front lawns. The curious tenth grader jumped on-line and stumbled on a web-site promoting ‘Little Free Libraries’, a not-for profit organization that promotes book sharing and the love for reading.
“It looked like it would be fun to build, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought,” said Torrin, who recruited her Dad to help with the construction of her own mini-library she would erect at the end of the driveway at her family’s home. “In the end, it looks really good and I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish.
”Torrin is a member of the 1st Kanata Scouts group. Her library formed part of her community services project, a prerequisite for her Chief’s Award, the highest form of recognition attainable at the Scouts level in Scouts Canada.
“I wanted the badge because it’s really cool to have,” said Torrin. “I thought it would be a cool project to do and a chance to try something new.”
It took the father and daughter duo over three months to build a structure that would withstand our grueling Canadian winter months, and as well, heavy rainfall. There’s even a dog leash holder attached. This way book enthusiasts walking their pets can stop and browse through the selection without fear of fido running off.
Torrin’s ‘Little Free Library’ celebrated its official opening at the end of June and residents can now come and take a book, as long as they put a book in its place. There is no limit on how long a book can be borrowed and there is a wide range of genres, from thrillers, to children’s books to cookbooks.
Some of the books belong to the Kuhl family, while others have been generously donated from the Kanata United Church.
“She has always been pretty determined,” said Torrin’s mom, Tiffany, of her daughter. “She’s done a lot of volunteer work and this is a way for her to give back to the community. She knew what she wanted to do, and she followed through on it.”
Torrin’s ‘Free Little Library’ is located at 16 Lismer Crescent in Beaverbrook. For more information on the initiative or find a library near you, visit: littlefreelibrary.org.