We have been noticing some new developments around our ‘hoods lately.
Unlike the usual kind of developments that frankly make you shake your head with wonder on “how on earth could council possibly approve something like that!” These developments please the eye, warm the heart, and best of all, they won’t block your view!
These developments are helping to bring back a community feel to our ‘hoods. They promote recycling, encourage reading and they don’t even require council approval.
These developments are Street Library’s.
What first appears to be an overgrown, fancy letterbox is filled with something much better than household bills, pizza delivery brochures and, (dare we say?), real estate brochures.
They are filled with books.
Children’s books, picture books, coffee table books, novels, textbooks, foreign language books. Well loved, well thumbed books in great condition by the care given from their previous owners.
The premise is simple; take a book you no longer want and swap it for another. Even if you don’t have a book to swap, you can still check one out at the Street Library. How good is that?
When you have finished, return it, and take out another.
The aim is to make reading available to everybody whether you’re young or old, an inner-city dweller or beach goer, a long-time local or a new-to-the-‘hood. So, no matter where you live, or your chosen vocation, you are invited to browse and enjoy a simple pleasure. Rediscover the joy of reading!
These little street libraries are creating so much more than a place to find a book, they are also helping combat community isolation, the side-effect of too much technology and long working hours. Conversations are started, and friendships created through the common interest of the, not-so-humble, book.
Get to know your neighbour- and your ‘hood- find a Street Library near you and get to reading!
Or better still, build one, no council approval required…