About Zunzun Reading Community

The Zunzun Reading Community was created by Majela Guzman. It began its journey as a little free library, inaugurated on June 18th, 2022. 
It has since become a significant movement in the community, dedicated to promoting the joy of reading among individuals of all ages. 
With its roots planted in Orleans, this project has since grown, evolving into a vibrant and dynamic hub for book lovers, offering various engaging programs and fostering a strong sense of community through the shared love of books. 

Why Zunzun?

The Zunzun Reading Community derives its name from the ‘zunzún,’ a Spanish term for hummingbird, and is particularly inspired by the Cuban zunzún, also known as the bee hummingbird, the smallest bird on Earth. This diminutive yet vibrant bird, emblematic of energy and liveliness, mirrors the spirit of an avid reader’s pursuit of knowledge and enjoyment through books. The Cuban zunzún, with its dynamic and tireless nature, serves as a metaphor for the act of reading – a continuous journey of exploration and discovery. 

Picture of Majela Guzman

Majela Guzman

Majela Guzman is the founder of Zunzun Reading Community. She is a research librarian at the University of Ottawa, and a bibliophile who loves to share her passion for books. She realized a long-held dream by establishing a little free library in her neighborhood, which was the starting point for what has expanded significantly into the larger project that is Zunzun Reading Community today. Majela strongly believes that reading can help us create a better world and make people live happier and more accomplished lives.