'Floating Library' Connects Books To Boaters

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On this sunny Saturday, we take you to a library checkout line that was very backed up.

But the available books were in a rather unique location -- the middle of Silver Lake in St. Anthony.

Silverwood Park is hosting a unique to way for storytelling this weekend, called "The Floating Library."

By way of canoe, kayak or paddle is really the only way to get to this library anchored on Silver Lake. This Floating Library was started by Sarah Peters three years ago.

"I had the idea that if it's fun to read in a boat, it would be even better to have a library to get reading material while you're out on the water," Peters said.

Eighty books fill the shelves on the raft, fully equipped with the proper protection from the elements.

Meg O'Hara and her daughter just had to see the books for themselves

"We normally would not be in swim suits at the library," O'Hara said.

That is exactly what Peters and her team are going for -- that element of surprise for an unexpected story time.

"People were really delighted and surprised to be finding a library out on the water," Peters said.

The dress code under the sun for book reading is anything beachy, as O'Hara and her daughter, Charlotte, pulled up in their swim suits. Both decided to save the library cards for another day.

"I think this is fantastic. I think part of Minnesota is the lakes," O'Hara said. "And getting kids to read and think it's interesting? This is a great concept for that. Get out on a lake, go canoe, for us paddleboard, and then actually be interested in unique things, other than Dr. Seuss."

Peters says the raft was designed by a local architect after she received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board last year.

You can browse the library's buoyant collection Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.