Free little libraries have been popping up for years in Thompson-Okanagan neighbourhoods for book lovers to exchange books and the numbers continue to increase.

The funky little showcases have evolved to include DVDs, coffee mugs, sticks for dogs to chew and other creative offerings.

iN PHOTOS: Little free libraries in Kamloops, Okanagan branching out with new items | iNFOnews.ca — A little library is set up Turnberry Place in Kamloops. SUBMITTED/Erynne Carney

Many of them are registered on a global map created by Little Free Library, a non-profit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota that was formed in 2010 to expand equitable book access across the world.

By 2016, there were more than 50,000 Little Free Libraries registered in the U.S. A decade later, those numbers grew to 200,000.

Kamloops resident Michele Wiens oversees two Facebook groups devoted to the little libraries.

She started the first one several years ago after exploring all the local book exchanges and stocking up a little library of her own with picture books, chapter books and books for grown ups.

“One Christmas my husband and daughter made one for me, it was the first in our neighbourhood,” she said.

“I also kept discovering other book exchanges around town so I started a personal list.”

She eventually turned the list into map for the city and left little notes in the libraries inviting others to connect.

“We’d share hints and tricks and sources of free books for our libraries and help each other out,” she said.

Between the two groups, the local map has become a crowd-sourced list of book exchanges and other sharing boxes with more than 100 listed, including a mug exchange, a Lab-Rarium with sticks and balls for dogs and a little free pantry.

“I love seeing neighbourhood kids take a break from what they’re doing and check out what’s in the book box,” she said.

“Literacy is so important, and book exchanges are a reminder there are stories waiting to be discovered.”

A big impetus behind the initial creation of the little free libraries was to support community connection.

“Sharing boxes are a way to make the neighbourhood just a little more friendly,” Wiens said. “It’s a way to share something you’ve loved and are ready to pass on.”

Go here to find the Little Free Library network map of book boxes in your community.