Welcome to the Tailgate Library!
About Us
Finding Inspiration on Every Page
Dr. Melanie Goodchild is a book nerd. She loves books and has a personal collection of books about books, libraries, and bookstores. While traveling her first stops are most often the local indie bookstore and the public library. After completing her PhD in Social & Ecological Sustainability at the University of Waterloo she and her family moved back home to northern Ontario and settled in Bawating in 2023. In 2026 she decided to share her love of books and reading while giving back to the community of Sault Ste Marie. By not having a storefront or permanent structure there is very little administrative or overhead costs for the Tailgate Library. Everything is done by donations only and proceeds support local charities.
Our Story
At first, Melanie, an academic, and her partner Sly, a Qigong instructor, were going to invest in building a Little Free Library in their front yard. But there are many lovely little free libraries around the Soo and they decided instead to became book fairies, dropping off donations from their own home library. Soon they decided to bring their love of tailgating with tea, together with their joy of reading. And the Tailgate Library was created.
Meet The Team
Melanie & Sly
Tailgate Library Stewards and bookish tea drinkers.