I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane --- But first a stop at the Flybrary.

Thunder Bay airport, library, team up to create a Flybrary 

(Chief librarian John Pateman says the Flybrary concept has its roots in the United States, but Thunder Bay's location is the first chapter of its kind in Canada. (Gord Ellis)

Travellers in Thunder Bay who like to read have a new resource at their fingertips.

The Thunder Bay International Airport has a unique book exchange it's calling a Flybrary.

It's a partnership between the airport and the Thunder Bay Public Library that allows travellers to take a book, with no strings attached.

Airport Authority president and CEO, Ed Schmidtke, said the books are another way to interest travellers as they wait for flights.

"The book is still a fabulous communications tool," he said.

"So if you have some dwell time, maybe a little longer than you wanted, and you don't have a book with you, now we have another opportunity to entertain you."

The Flybrary is located on the main floor of the airport, and includes a seating area and a variety of books free for the taking.  

It also helps the airport to promote both Thunder Bay's public library system, and a local furniture vendor, Schmidtke added.

Nathan Kushner supplied the handmade seating for travellers who may want to curl up with a book in the mini-library.

The Flybrary concept is the first chapter of its kind in Canada, according to the city's chief librarian. The concept began in the United States.  

"The beauty of it is, it's very simple," John Pateman said.

"There are no rules or regulations. You just take a book, and put it back, or not, as the case may be. The beauty of the scheme is its simplicity." Toronto Star, Sept. 19, 2015.