‘Little free library’ honours library advocate Sabine Weber-Beard

A custom-made ‘little free library’ and accompanying bench seat were unveiled by library staff and the Kāeo community to honour a dear colleague and friend, Sabine Weber-Beard, on Wednesday 26 April.

Sabine was a passionate advocate for library services, both locally and on the international stage, and devoted over 20 years of service to Far North Libraries. She continued her advocacy work until shortly before losing her battle with motor neurone disease in July last year.

The little free library box, next to Sabine’s memorial seat, operates on a goodwill system of free book lending. Once readers have finished their book, they can swap it for another one. There are no time limits or tracking systems for the books.

Sabine’s little free library, which is located next to the Kāeo Library building, is a tribute to someone whose love for reading, for the Kāeo community and for making books easily available was well-known. The library will be monitored and stocked with ‘reading gems’ by Sabine’s library colleagues.  

The little free library box and memorial bench were built by volunteers from the Kerikeri Mens Shed and is free for all to enjoy, just as Sabine would have wanted.

You can read more about the Kerikeri Mens Shed here. Keep up to date with the latest library news on our website.