Free little library destroyed in Kitchener

A beloved little library in Kitchener’s Doon South neighbourhood is now in pieces.

Hugh Tran, who lives across the street from the yellow and orange structure at Thomas Slee Park, said he heard what sounded like an explosion late Tuesday night.

“I heard a really loud noise,” he told CTV News. “I was in my room, the windows were closed, but it was like a little bomb. I don’t know what happened. I looked out my window to see what’s going on, but I did not notice any fire.”

Waterloo Regional Police were called to the area around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

“Prior to police responding, a resident did put out the fire and that’s how we were able to determine that it may have been a small fire explosion,” said Const. Chris Iden.

Burned books and bits of woods still littered the ground the next morning.

Damaged books and bits of wood litter the ground after a free little library in Kitchener was destroyed. July 31, 2024. (Ashley Bacon/CTV News)

“How can somebody do this? It’s just crazy,” said Tran.

According to a social media post from the City of Kitchener, the little library was added to the park in 2019. It was a place where neighbours could donate or take used books, free of charge.

“It’s a family neighbourhood,” Tran explained. “Kids walk around the park, always people playing. I see kids come here, they exchange books and all that. I think it’s really cool.”

Officers were going door-to-door, looking to speak with witnesses, on Wednesday.

“It’s concerning because these [little libraries] are very helpful and they’re nice to have in communities,” said Iden. “Whenever something like this [happens], it’s obviously concerning to the community itself. That’s why we’re asking anyone with information to help us and contact us.”

Tran hopes it’s an isolated incident.

“It’s pretty sad to see something like this,” he said. “It’s a beautiful neighbourhood.”

Residents tell CTV News they already making plans to rebuild the little library.