A couple of months ago I applied for one of Penguin’s 90 Little Book Stops that they were giving away to celebrate their 90th birthday (you can read the post here). Penguin were inundated with applications and unfortunately mine wasn’t one of the ones chosen.
When I was applying for the Penguin Little Book Stop I realised how passionate I was about it and had already decided that if I was unsuccessful, I still wanted to try and get a little library for the community. This is when ‘Plan B’ began.
Our nearest libraries were closed several years ago and have been replaced by smaller library facilities in town halls. People don’t always have the time, transport, ability or money to access books in these locations, and a free library would bring books to people’s doorsteps giving everyone in the community cost free access, 24/7.
The idea is for the little library to go on the village green on the main road. This is for a number of reasons including it being an area already used for community events, it’s on a main road and it’s easily accessible. This project is something I feel passionately about and I have so many ideas how the local community, schools and other local groups could be involved with it if I’m able to complete it.
Why this matters to me:
I love books and reading and was lucky enough to grow up with access to lots of books as my parents had a book shop. I’m passionate about others having access to books and their life changing benefits. I believe that books should be available to everyone no matter their age, background, or income. This small library will be open 24/7 to everyone in the community — no library card needed, no late fees, just the joy of reading and sharing.
A free book exchange is more than just a box of books, it’s a way to:
• Encourage reading for all and promotes literacy and lifelong learning
• Make books more accessible to everyone
• Encourage children to read at home
• Build a sense of community through sharing and reduce isolation
• Bring community together, creates connections, community ownership and pride
• Create a gathering spot for connection and conversation
• Promote sharing, learning and kindness
• Give gently-used books a second life and support sustainability through sharing and reusing books
• Add shared community assets to our local area
My vision is simple: build a little library book exchange where anyone in the community can take a book or leave a book. It will be a welcoming space, a place for people in the community, for people of all ages to discover (or re-discover) their love of reading, and all completely free. A place where children can discover their next favourite story, adults can swap novels or cookbooks, and people can connect through the simple joy of reading and sharing books. I believe that books can bring people together and a free Little Library would be a long-lasting addition to the community.
‘Bookmark’, the bookshop started by my parents in Spalding, Lincolnshire has been open as an independent bookshop for nearly 45 years but sadly, after all this time, is being closed down by the current owners in less than a week on 25th July. I was 6 years old when it opened so this is devasting for me, and it will be a huge loss to the local community in a town where I believe an independent bookshop is not only wanted, but is also still viable. I believe attempts are being made to try and keep it so I can only hope these come to fruition.
The impending closure of ‘Bookmark’ has made me more determined to succeed with my little library – I want people to have easy access to books all the time like I did and this little library will help with that, if only in my local area.
I’ve applied for some small grants and am waiting to hear about those but as an individual (rather than a charity) obtaining grants is difficult. I’ve printed posters and been round all the local businesses and groups and even done a yet to be published interview with the local newspaper. I’m reaching out to as many people as I can and £564 has been raised to date. I’ve been overwhelmed by how supportive the community has been, the book drive below is just one example.
The £2,500 Go Fund Me target will cover the cost of the library being made, delivery, a starter set of a variety of books and some spares, paint for any future repairs and a small buffer to cover the cost of dealing with any future damage / upkeep etc. such as replacing the polycarbonate window in the door it if were to be damaged.
The library would be painted but made from an MDF product called Medite Tricoya Extreme which is very long lasting (up to 50 years) and ideally suited to use outdoors. It is also resistant to rot and fungal decay, FSC certified and sustainable. It is also a Class 1 flame retardant meaning that any fire will not travel far across the surface (this is the highest rating in British Standard 476 classification for surface spread of flame).
I really want the little library to last, to look amazing and for the community to be proud of it which is why I’d love to raise this amount of money for it.
The initial cost of the books is fairly minimal in comparison to the actual library box. Going forward I have an ongoing book supply very generously offered by a free bookshop in Hyde, and books already being offered by other local community groups and also from family, friends and colleagues.
If you believe in the power of books to change lives and in the importance of community spaces that bring people together, I would be so grateful for your help. Whether you give £5 or £50, your support will make a difference. Every donation helps move closer to making this idea a reality.
Even a small donation goes a long way and if you can’t give right now, sharing this campaign with your friends, colleagues and neighbours would mean the world. Spreading the word is just as valuable.
This is the link to the Go Fund Me page if you’d like to read my story on there, or you can scan the QR code below.
If you’d like to follow the journey or join the Facebook group then the link is here.
#bepartofthestory
