Posted by: Jessica Jagodics
Local Scout Thomas Reevely is demonstrating leadership, innovation and active community service through his project to build two “Little Free Libraries” for the Old Ottawa South community.
The project is part of his work to achieve the King’s Venture award. Thomas is a member of the Venturer Company of the 17th Ottawa (Southminster) Scouts group in Old Ottawa South. The King’s Venture award is the highest achievement in the section and recognizes services to the community, leadership, a major personal project and outdoor adventurer skills
Thomas was inspired by the Little Free Library his father built on their own front lawn nine years ago.
The project was kickstarted when Thomas found materials for the libraries while on a bike ride home for school.
“I was biking home from school and found these pallets on the roadside that just hadn’t been picked up. I did a few trips; I hauled them home and sawed them up. I built two of them and they’re 90% scrap,” Thomas explained.
The innovative approach allowed Thomas to avoid expensive supplies while still ensuring that the libraries would be good quality.
“What I wanted to do was to build ones with good quality, but I didn’t want to use all expensive things,” he noted.
On weekends Thomas spends his time working on the Little Libraries, using skills and knowledge he’s learned from both his woodshop class and the scouts program. Thomas notes the experience has taught him new ways to use tools as well as other practical real-world skills.
“I’ve enjoyed that I’ve learned more about something that’s used in the real world,” he said.
Through the project Thomas has also learned to work through trial and error, determining what works and what doesn’t. Initially, he used wood glue for the projects before realizing that this method did not make the little free libraries as “indestructible,” as he thought.
“I had to change my tune and mix it up with something else,” Thomas said.
People can apply to get one of the little libraries installed on their front lawn. Applicants should submit their requests to the email scoutlittlelibrary@gmail.com.
Thomas will use a virtual wheel spin to decide who will receive the Free Little Libraries and recipients will be given the ability to choose what design is painted on the library.
At the start Thomas will be stocking the library, but then expects that whoever receives the libraries and their users will continue to restock its inventory.
“We have this chest of old books and we’re planning to use this to regularly restock it if it’s way too low. I think as a start-up we’ re going to give them to get it started and from then on, I think it’d be their responsibility,” Thomas said.
For Thomas, there’s a sense of satisfaction about finishing the section of scouting with the large achievement that he built. The project allows him to see that he’s not just moving through the Scouts program “monotonously.”
“I think it’s because it was the first wooden thing that I’ve ever really done on my own, but also the first sophisticated woodworking project that I’ve done,” Thomas said.
Constructing the Little Free Libraries has allowed Thomas to build his woodworking skills while overall contributing something special to the community.
“I am excited about the project because it’s unique and seems like a popular household item,” he said.
Requests for the Little Libraries can be sent by email to scoutlittlelibrary@gmail.com. Please include your name and address.
Jessica Jagodics is a student in the journalism program at Carleton University.
Featured in the February 2026 OSCAR.