LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A Minnesota-based artist teamed up with a Los Angeles group to install a temporary "Floating Library" on the waters of a lake in the California city.

Sarah Peters, who has previously installed the temporary book depositories on Minnesota lakes, teamed with Los Angeles' Machine Project to install a raft on Echo Park Lake loaded with books and zines for boaters to stop by and enjoy.


Project volunteers said boaters can borrow the books and return them to the raft or in bins located on the shore of the lake.

The floating library loaned out its first materials Thursday and will be in operation from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Sunday.

The Machine Project said the project was timed to coincide with the LA Book Fair.

"Skip out on book fair crowds in favor of some winter sun, luxurious buoyancy, and an incredible collection of books from artists far and near. Bring your reading glasses, grog, sea chanties, and a bookmark -- the Library's come to town!" the group said on its website.

Peters told LAist she hopes the project will lead people to "appreciate water in urban spaces," as well as "find an artwork or a book that is surprising or challenging or thought provoking or delightful to them in some way."