Perched out the front of the Armidale Community Preschool, the library is the brainchild of director Sue Motley.

“I was travelling in July last year and some of the caravan parks had small boxes where you could drop off a novel and pick up a new one,” she said.

“When I came back I investigated and found there wasn’t one specifically for children, I talked to the educators here and everyone was really keen to set one up.”

And, it was a really community effort, with preschool families building the box and one of the dad’s digging it in.

Officially opened by Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray on Thursday, a day later a mysterious benefactor had filled the street library with books.

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“The street library is a real benefit to the community,” Cr Murray said.

“It’s a fantastic way to spend quality time with family or friends, or just donate a book to brighten someone’s day.”

Ms Motley said she has been surprised at the support for the street library.

“We were really surprised because we hadn’t really advertised it before someone filled it with books,” she said.

“But, if one parent or adult reads a book to a child – that’s worth everything.”

The Armidale Community Preschool street library is located at 127 Allingham Street.