While most folks were enjoying the final lazy days of summer, Twice Upon a Time was anything but idle! I recently had the pleasure of speaking with volunteer coordinator Tori Murray about the progress this ‘start-up’ organization has made over the summer.
Twice Upon a Time has been open since May on Thursdays and 
Saturdays. Thanks to the fantastic weather Ottawa has been providing lately, volunteers usually set up shop outside Heartwood House on MacArthur Ave, inviting families walking by to stop in and pick out books to take home to keep.
“We have an old wooden book cart filled with books for kids of all ages in English and French, as well as a chairs and cushions for the kids to sit down and read through some books before they make their choice,” Tori added. “There is also a colouring station, and volunteers can frequently be found reading to visiting kids.”
Once the children (and accompanying adults, if they wish) find their book of choice, it is stamped with “This book once belonged to Twice Upon a Time and now it belongs to _______” Before they leave, the new owner writes their name in their very own book. Kids can visit as often as they like, and take home to keep one book per visit.
Tori explained that groups of children from the nearby Boys and Girls Club regularly visit. Volunteers read aloud to the group and lead discussions about the stories.
Tori says that the neighbourhood response to this new initiative has been great. “While people walking by are sometimes initially skeptical of strangers offering them free books, once they realize there’s no “catch”, people have been more than delighted to take advantage of this new resource in their community.”
One little girl and her mother walk past the Heartwood House most Thursdays and Saturdays.
“They both love stopping and getting new books. The girl's Mum said that they are getting a real library going at home, which is the main objective of Twice Upon a Time.”
Tori explained that after being open only 25 days since May, Twice Upon a Time had already distributed nearly 740 books to over 600 kids.
A large part of the success of Twice Upon a Time comes from the commitment of the organization’s volunteers, explained Tori. A dedicated volunteer herself, Tori stated that most of her fellow volunteers have been recruited through word of mouth or through social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Twice Upon a Time is always looking for more volunteers, especially those who are willing to help run the pop-up free book ‘shop’ located at Heartwood House. Tori explained that the organization is hoping to have enough volunteers by September to be able to reduce the length of volunteer shifts.
Donations of high quality children’s books have been pouring in. “We filled our first unit at Dymon Storage and upgraded to a larger one,” Tori explained. “Now the bigger storage unit is full already!”
Because of this, a hold has been temporarily put on donations. However, Tori encourages the public to keep an eye on Twice Upon a Time’s website and Facebook page for information on when donations will be welcomed once again.
If you are interested in volunteering your time and skills to support Twice Upon a Time, contributing financially to operating costs, or donating new or gently used children’s books, please contact info@twiceuponatime.ca