Explorer still making history
Leon Humphrey went to the fridge, and got a big surprise.
The 15-year-old from Lower Hutt was not looking for a glass of milk but a book. What he found was an 1878 edition of Captain James Cook’s Voyages Around The World.
Leon is a regular user of the Little Local Library on Belmont’s Hill Rd.
Opened in 2012, this is not your regular library. It consists of two fridges, with signs encouraging people to help themselves to the books inside.
Leon was surprised to find such a rare book in such an unlikely place. ‘‘Someone obviously did not know what it was and put it in there.’’
Des Schollum, from Lower Hutt business House Of Books, said he could find only two copies for sale worldwide. One was in New Zealand, with a price tag of $86.
Although the book was ‘‘very rare’’, Schollum said, it was not particularly valuable. Its condition would play a big role in determining what it might fetch.
Leon, a student at Naenae College, advised Wellington City Libraries of his find, and was told staff there would like to see the volume.
He is a keen supporter of the suburb’s fridge library. ‘‘It is an easy place to get books. You can put books in and take books out, and you get to read books you would not otherwise see.’’
Lynette Vigrass, of the Hill Road Community Group, keeps an eye on the library. She said Belmont started with one fridge but later opened a ‘‘branch library’’ in a second appliance. She was aware of people who travelled from outside the area to grab a book.
The only problem, so far, had involved some kids setting one of the fridges on fire, she said. But a local quickly put in a replacement.
‘‘From time to time, I sift through and find books that are clearly not going to interest anyone and throw them in the recycle bin.
‘‘Apart from the fire, the whole thing has been a really positive and uplifting experience.’’