An Ottawa woman says it was a “sad day” when she was told by the Bureau of Laws to move her small library from the curb to the front lawn or risk being charged.
Wendy Chaitor set up the Little Library on the lawn of her Amethyst Crescent home in Stitsville last August, welcoming neighbors to choose a book to read or leave a book for someone else to enjoy.
This spring, Chaitor received a registered letter from the city that he had a complaint about the small library on her property and had to move it back beyond the city’s 4.3-meter road surcharge.
“I am saddened that someone would choose to complain to the Charter instead of talking directly to us to let us know that there is a problem with our library,” Chaitor said in a post in a neighborhood group on Facebook.
A letter from the Ottawa Statutes and Regulatory Services told Chaitor that the library should be moved 14 feet from the curb by June 6.
Chaitor told CTV News Ottawa that the Small Library, which consists of a closed bookcase on a wooden pole, was placed about four feet from the street.
“We don’t quite see how it damages the highway, as it was 1.25 meters from the curb,” Chaitor said.
“Far enough away not to interfere with traffic or snowplows, but close enough so that people can easily access it.”
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Ottawa Bylaw Services said it received a complaint on May 9 about the small library erected on the front lawn of the home.
“A notice of violation (written warning) was sent to the owner, informing him of the complaint that the library was not allowed in the city property and that it had to be moved back to the owner’s property,” said Roger Chapman, director of statutory services. .
“The BLRS responds to these types of complaints on a complaint basis and applies a progressive enforcement model that includes warnings and work with defendants to achieve voluntary compliance before a fine is imposed.”
Chapman says the city’s law on the use and care of roads forbids people from “loading the highway in any way.”
“This includes building a library, leaving sports equipment (basketball and hockey nets) or building raised gardens in the city (part of the land owned by the city at the end of the property),” Chapman said Saturday night.
Chaitor said the request to move the library stand 14 feet from the curb “completely confuses” me.
“How are basketball nets allowed that hang directly over the road, but our harmless library, which has already been removed from the curb, is considered a load / damage highway,” Chaitor asked in a Facebook post.
“The little library lasted through the autumn and winter, and it wasn’t in the way of the snowplows,” Chaitor said, adding that the area in front of it had been cleared of snow for easy access.
“We have never received any complaints from neighbors about our library,” she said Sunday. “In fact, we often make people stop and thank us for doing such a wonderful thing for our community.”
The small library offers everything from children’s books to easy-to-read for beginners to adult books.
“We created our small library to share our love of books with the neighborhood. We have so many books of our own that it seemed a shame for them to collect dust on the bookshelf, ”Chaitor said. “My heart is happy to see people stop by and take a book or two – or leave a little!”
count. Glenn Gower told CTV News Ottawa that he would speak to Statutory officials on Monday to make sure Chaitor could continue to run the library.
“These small libraries are a great addition to our communities in Stitsville. “More and more are appearing in the city,” Gower said. “There’s even a mini art gallery on West Ridge in Stittsville. This is something we should encourage, not limit. “
Chaitor hopes to find a compromise to keep the Little Library close to the curb. Meanwhile, he is placed on the front porch, with a welcome sign inviting people to borrow a book or leave a book for others to read.
“I hope that a solution can be found so that the library is returned to its original place near the end of our alley, or at least kept close enough to the curb so that people are not afraid to use it.”
With files from Ted Raymond and Colton Prail from CTV News Ottawa
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