Resurrect Reading – Start A Village Library
Picture the scene; the sun is just starting to go down, you’ve finished a long day at the office, and you’re sitting in your garden with your feet up, a glass of sauvignon blanc and a good book. What better way to spend your free time? It’s definitely my idea of a perfect summer’s evening.
However, books can be costly blighters. The invention of the kindle has somewhat reduced the cost, but there are those amongst us (me included) who just like the feel of a book in hand, and prefer to stick to the traditional method of reading. Plus, you don’t have to remember to charge up a book….
So instead of filling up your spare room with shelves and shelves of books you may never read again, how about setting up a village library? Somewhere you can find a new book and at the same time leave your last read for others to enjoy. The idea has become rather popular and you can find village libraries all over the country now, offering locals (and perhaps those passing through) the chance to swap literature, maybe explore something new and all absolutely free!
Building Your Bookstore
There’s a wonderful website called littlefreelibrary.org which is the bible of village libraries. It gives information on how to build your own library – from the initial set up to publicising it.
You can use any wooden construction you may have to hand, such an old rabbit hutch or bedside table and adapt it accordingly. If your DIY skills aren’t up to much, perhaps you can rope in a friend or family member to wield a saw or hammer and help create your masterpiece. However, if you really feel out of your depth, Little Free Library offers fairly inexpensive kits to start you off.
Remember to waterproof every surface with a sturdy membrane (available in DIY shops) to keep your structure (and more importantly, your books) dry.
Location, Location, Location
You need to be sensible about where you place your village library. Right next to your front door is not a great idea as you may have a continuous stream of people perusing the books and peering in your window at the same time. Or else, no one will notice it’s there and all your hard work will be wasted. You want somewhere that passers by will both notice and be able to access easily – perhaps by your garden gate or nestled in a bush at the front of your property. Place a few books of mixed genres in to get the ball rolling and then it’s time to turn to the signage.
Show The Way
Make a sign – this can be a basic, printed, laminated affair which clearly states the purpose of the village library, or a full-on wooden beautifully painted sign which will catch the eye of even the most unobservant. State that people are welcome to take a book and/or leave a book they think others might enjoy. Attaching a guest book to a chain is also a lovely idea. People can then leave reviews on the books they’ve read if they wish, which makes choosing your next read a little easier.
Publish Your Product
Once you’re fully set up, make the library official. You can register it on littlefreelibrary.org who will even send you an official sign to stick on your library. It’s a good idea to use social media to spread the word, as well as telling family and friends. The more people that use it, the more books to choose from. Then you can sit back, knowing you’ll have a never-ending supply of books on your doorstep which others can appreciate too.
