St. Barnabas in Deep River has something new that draws young and old, parishioners and visitors. Before and after worship services, during events in the church hall, yard sales, teas, bazaars, even funeral receptions, they slip away past the elevator to look for treasures in the Apple Tree Library.
“I am an avid reader, and so is our congregation. Plus, Deep River has bragging rights to the highest number of PhDs [per capita] in Canada. Books are a big deal here,” says parishioner Nora Waddell.
“I thought about this project last spring, received Parish Council approval in June and then the fun started,” she told Perspective. The library opened in September 2024. “Deep Riverites have been generous with their book donations for all ages, plus I have two out-of-town retired librarian friends who also supply new and barely used books in all genres!” she says.
There is a beautiful mural of an apple tree painted by local artist Elaine Bisson. Richard Birchall and Susan McBride generously donated of two custom-made bookcases.
Waddell reports that the library continues to grow and is popular with parishioners and visitors. Shelves are easily organized by author’s surname in hardcover and paperback. It is meant to be ‘non-profit’ to promote reading, but if someone wishes to leave a donation, there is a donation jar. The library runs on the honour system; no sign-ins or outs, no tracking system, no membership list, and readers are encouraged to add books to their home libraries, or return them, or pass them on, whatever they wish. The library has no fixed hours and is open before and after worship, during events held in the Church Hall.
Children flock to their own smaller reachable bookcase. “There is a small table and two chairs where you will often see children as young as one and two-year olds reading their books upside-down! It all makes my heart big,” says Waddell. “I chose ‘The Apple Tree’ as the library name because what is more serene than a field of apple trees on a quiet, sunny day?”
— Notes from Nora Waddell
St. George, Portage-du-Fort — Deanery of West Quebec