The A-B Street Library officially opened its 22nd street library outside the Young Innovators Hub in Macarthur Heights, marking another milestone in a grassroots movement that’s proving a small box of books can have a big impact on community life.

State Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren, Campbelltown Mayor Darcy Lound, authors and community leaders joined the celebration, but in true Young Innovators fashion, it was the young people who took centre stage, hosting the official opening.

The latest Peter Pan-themed library was handcrafted by the Men’s Shed Macquarie Fields and brought to life with artwork by students from Al Faisal College, Minto, under the guidance of their dynamic principal Sonali Luthra.

A-B Street Library President Kamal Pasha said the initiative had grown into something far greater than simply sharing books.

“These colourful boxes… are more than book storage. They are bridges,” he has said.

What began after Kamal and his bestie Ash Rahman had a brainstorm during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into a network of community spaces where neighbours connect, children discover a love of reading and books are freely exchanged regardless of age or background.

One theme underlined all the guests’ speeches: Street libraries play an important role in strengthening neighbourhoods by encouraging literacy, reducing social isolation and creating welcoming spaces where people can share stories, ideas and conversations.

Their simple “take a book, leave a book” philosophy makes reading accessible to everyone while fostering a genuine sense of belonging.

A-B Street Library Secretary and Campbelltown Councillor Ash Rahman said the vision was only just beginning.

“We’re aiming at 100 libraries all over Campbelltown in the next couple of years,” he said.

Young Innovators founder Shafqat Ali said the growing success of the youth-led programs had highlighted the need for a larger permanent home.

“Today’s opening shows what’s possible when young people are trusted to lead,” he said.

“As our mentoring and leadership programs continue to grow, we’re now seeking a larger, dedicated Young Innovators Hub so we can support even more young people to build confidence, skills and brighter futures.”

With 22 colourful libraries already standing across the region and an ambitious target of 100 in sight, the A-B Street Library movement continues to write a powerful new chapter in community building: one book, one conversation and one street at a time.

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