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Keeping the books in order are, from left Lili Calva, Tim and Mary Wood. Photo: Dan Hutchinson

A small community library has popped up outside the Anglers Table café in Tūrangi, giving locals and visitors free access to books. 

The idea came from Mary and Tim Wood who own The Olive Rabbit Bed and Breakfast a little further along Taupahi Rd. Anglers Café is owned by their son Andrew Wood and wife Lili Calva. Andrew and Lili also own The Hare and Copper Restaurant. 

Mary says the idea came about while they were preparing their entry for the Stella Awards and the question of community involvement came up. 

"I said to Tim, well, we do quite a bit, but I've always wanted to do this. Let's do it. Stop talking about it and actually do it." 

Tim built the library box, painting the inside pink and green to match Lili’s colour scheme on the Anglers Table. 

"I thought when I put it up with no books in it, ‘oh God, we've overdone it’ (with the pink)," he says. 

It filled up quickly. The Woods contributed a few books to get it started, with the rest coming from community members over just a couple of days. 

Children's books and colouring-in materials sit on the lower shelves.  

Mary says, with a motel next door, it's a handy option for families stuck inside on wet holiday days. Pencils have been left out deliberately — to keep any budding artists off the walls of the cafe. 

"It brings in the community spirit." 

For them, it is about giving something back to the town they now call home.