On a quiet stretch of Tower Road in Halifax, a small wooden box filled with colourful keychains has become an unexpected source of joy for neighbours, students, and passersby alike.
The Halifax Keychain Library, created by Jemma Arthur, operates on a simple idea: take a keychain, leave a keychain, or simply stop by and enjoy the experience. But for Arthur, the project is about far more than trinkets.
“I just wanted to create sort of like a joy spot in the community,” Arthur says. “A place where people can exchange trinkets and keychains.”
Arthur says the project was inspired by creators online who were building small, community-focused exchanges. She launched the library in April, building and painting it herself despite limited resources.
“It was literally just a concept of an idea,” she says. “I just decided, you know what, I’m going to do it. I don’t have a lot of money, I don’t have a lot of time, but it’s not going to take a huge amount of time.”
What began as a personal project quickly evolved into something larger. Arthur says working on the library also became an important outlet for her own mental health.
“It gave me something to do, too, which also really was helpful for my mental health,” she says.
Outside the library, Arthur also runs Poke Spectrum Social, a non-profit group for disabled adults in the Halifax Regional Municipality who enjoy Pokémon, and volunteers regularly in the community.
The library’s emphasis on accessibility has become one of its defining features. Arthur intentionally designed the structure to be wheelchair accessible and easy to use for people with mobility devices.
“There’s no door on purpose,” she says. “It’s right on the sidewalk, and it’s open to everybody, and it’s built for everybody.”
Arthur said she wanted to remove barriers that might prevent people from participating, especially at a time when many residents are struggling financially.
“My goal with the keychain library has always been to make sure it was a free, accessible, fun spot for anyone in the community, whether you’re five years old or 80,” she says. “I just wanted it to be a place where people can go get something for free.”
For some Haligonians, the library has already become a small but meaningful part of daily life.
“It feels like a little treat,” says Dalhousie University student Maya Henderson, who plans to stay in Nova Scotia over the summer to work instead of returning home. “A lot of students are trying to save money right now, so something small and joyful like this makes staying here feel a little lighter. It’s nice to go by, pick out a charm, and just have a moment for yourself.”
Another university student, Priya Menon, says the project appeals to her because it encourages sharing rather than collecting.
“I love bag charms, but I also don’t like hoarding things,” Menon says. “This is such a fun way to switch things up. You can use one for a while, bring it back, and pick up something new without it becoming wasteful.”
Arthur says one of the most memorable reactions came from an older woman in the neighbourhood who recognized the library after seeing it online.
“She was driving her car down the street and said, ‘Oh my God, this is on my street. I can’t believe it,’” Arthur recalls. “That brought me a lot of joy because it really showed how closely the community impact was.”
The project is continuing to evolve. Arthur says a local artist will soon paint the library with floral artwork, adding another layer of creativity to the installation.
“We’re going to do a bunch of florals and kind of keep it natural looking,” she says. “I’m super excited for it to pop to life with a little bit more artistry.”
Arthur hopes the library can eventually inspire similar projects across the province, even if she does not personally expand it herself.
“I hope the community takes inspiration and we see it pop up in other spots,” she says. “I had a woman contact me saying she has a little free library in the area, and this inspired her to put up a little free keychain library.”
She says collaboration remains central to the project’s future and encourages local artists and community members to get involved.
“I think we need so much more art and just love and pretty stuff in our community. The thought of the keychain library being a focal point for that… I would love it.”
