Little Free Library
What came first- the chicken or the egg? Or in this case, the small business or the Little Free Library? Well, Beluga Books was the first idea hatched, and when brainstorming what I could do with unsold books, the second idea (Little Free Library) was cracked open.
I'm a very proud Little Free Library steward and I spend time on a regular (pretty much daily) basis, ensuring that both libraries are well stocked, organized and aesthetically pleasing. I change the library flags seasonally, and decorate the libraries for holidays and special occasions. I am very grateful to have built up a steady stream of LFL visitors over the past two years and receive beautiful donations from the community. I have never and will never sell any of the books donated to the library for Beluga Books as I find that unethical, going against the free nature of the libraries and their purpose. I keep donated books in a separate room in our basement book storage to ensure they don't get mixed up with Beluga Books for sale.
Who are we?
Beluga Books is a small, home based business, based in Orléans, an eastern suburb in Ottawa, Ontario (Canada).
Hi, I'm Emily, the Mum (and procrastinator, seeing as when I write this, we have been in business almost a full year and I'm just starting to work on the website now- whoops!) behind Beluga Books. This is my "side hustle"(although I strongly dislike that term as I prefer meandering to hustle culture) as I work a Mon-Fri corporate workplace wellness job. I guess you could say that Beluga Books is now my side-side hustle as I also recently opened a part-time private practice (I'm a Registered Social Worker), specializing in perinatal mental health counselling and support. (Phew, reading that aloud, it does sound like I hustle!)