You’ve heard of bingo halls, but what about a game of book bingo that spans 467 Little Free Libraries across the Capital Region?
The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN), the group that tracks and stocks the region’s take-a-book, leave-a-book stalls, has launched Little Free Library Bingo. The pandemic-friendly game is complete with bingo cards encouraging players to check out the mini-libraries to cross off the squares on their cards and, of course, prizes.
READ ALSO: Langford opens chapter on NerdYurt, Capital Region’s 450th little free library
Players can choose from two different card categories – one for a general audience and another for kids – and can either pick one up at a little free library, print one out themselves from the GVPN website or make up their own, said John Threlfall, a local writer who operates a colourful little free library on Fernwood Road and came up with the idea for the bingo game.
Just like regular bingo, “you can then play by line, cross or blackout as you find the various items,” and play alone, as a family or challenge a friend, he said. The goal is to get residents out exploring the region and “encourage kids to become life-long readers.”
Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with the tag #LFLBingo as they play.
READ ALSO: 10,000th book delivered to Little Free Libraries in Greater Victoria
You may wonder: What about the prizes?
Players will have their pick of free books and those who share their completed cards on Instagram or Twitter with #LFLBingo will be entered into a draw for other prizes, said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, a member of the GVPN board.
“I’m constantly amazed at the creativity that Little Free Libraries foster and the magic that these little book boxes bring to a community,” he said.
The GVPN’s Pocket Place Project has been mapping Little Free Libraries in the region since 2017 and Greater Victoria has the highest documented density of them in Canada.
Visit victoriaplacemaking.ca for printable bingo cards and a map of the region’s 467 Little Free Libraries.
Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.