Scotiabank is boosting its partnership with book sharing non-profit Little Free Library to get quality literature in the hands of underserviced communities.

There are approximately 2,100 Little Free Libraries in Canada, boxes set up in neighbourhoods to let people pick up new books to read, as well as drop off literature they think would be interesting or impactful for others.

But since Free Little Libraries come with a cost to install, they are often disproportionately available in wealthier areas, or ones that already have good access to public services.

To address this, the financial institution, with help from agency Rethink, is building custom, branded versions of Little Free Libraries in so-called “book deserts.” It is inviting residents who may reside in one to apply for a little library to appear through the non-profit’s Impact Library Program, which is mandated to strengthen community ties, inspire readers, expand easy book access and positively influence literacy outcomes.

To kick off the donations, Scotiabank has built its first custom Little Free Library for a new steward in Keswick, Ontario. More custom Little Free Libraries are currently in select Scotiabank branches and will eventually be “rehomed” to neighbourhoods and communities most in need.

Scotiabank, the longstanding sponsor of the country’s prestigious Giller Prize literary award, will once again be donating thousands of copies of this year’s shortlisted novels to Little Free Library stewards across Canada. Stewards are volunteers who register locations, keep books stocked, and perform routine maintenance.

Scotiabank is also making space for Canadian storytellers with billboards and signage across the country, where Canadians can scan a QR code to read an extended preview of all the 2022 Scotiabank Giller Prize novels.

“At Scotiabank, we are proud of our partnership with the Giller Foundation and the role we play in bringing the works of many talented Canadian authors to readers from coast to coast to coast,” says Laura Curtis Ferrera,  Scotiabank’s CMO. “Putting new Little Free Libraries in communities across the country is one way that we can work towards making great Canadian literature more accessible for all.”