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Has anyone had much experience with street libraries/have their own? My teacher is interested in us starting one up for our school as part of our 'Enterprise at Work' course and so I am looking into what makes a good street library (and also how to start one up, but that is more a with-the-class discussion). I have a couple of questions for anyone wanting to answer! I won't be adding it into my work, this is more-so for my own personal curiosity and to get a general feel on what to expect! If you have anything else outside of the questions to say, you're more than welcome to contribute. This also goes for people who haven't been involved with starting one up or using one, you are also welcome to share your thoughts!
- What makes a good street library?
- Have you had any issues with street libraries in the past? What made it an issue?
- Are there any genres/books catering to certain age groups that are common with street liraries you see, and what are excluded usually?
and these questions are more directed to those who have/had one (or helped!):
- What were the struggles you faced with starting one up?
- Is there a specific age group you cater to? Are there any ages you exclude (whether intentional or not)? ((e.g. young children/teens and so on))
- Are there certain genres you cater more to/exclude? Why is that (if intentional)?
- What are some things that you hadn't expected (both good and bad!)?
Thank you in advanced for anybody that has anything to say! <3
Comments
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Crimson_CreepXX
I think the only things I would made sure of is that it's set up in a good area with cameras if possible (People like to vandalize them unfortunately) and that it's properly made to withstand the weather in your area. I would also personally stay away from religious material (It's less likely you'll offend people)
it would likely sit out the front of our school so it should be fine I hope! and thank you, I'll definitely consider that!!! our school doesn't have much to do with religion to begin with so I'm not too sure on if anything to do with it would end up in there anyway! again, thank you!!!
by 「 Bea๑ 」; ; Report
Faoil
IVE DONE ONE BEFORE! It went a lot better than expected tbh but it might depend on the people around you. Most of the books never got used but I was lowkey expecting them to all just be gone the next day and they weren't! Just making sure it's sealed is important because you don't want the weather to ruin the books. Also adding notes and a sign about it is cool because a lot of people probably won't know what a street library is!
As for genres I'd just do as much of a variety as possible, and maybe see what people aren't as interested in and swap em out eventually!
by Faoil; ; Report
thank you for the input!! I didn't consider signs and notes but actually that's such a good idea thank u! I'll definitely put some thought into who are likely to use it. there is another street library somewhere in the town and I'm not sure who uses it (if anybody) maybe I'll need to ask around. for the THIRD TIME because I'm grateful you've helped a little bit, THANK YOU!!
by 「 Bea๑ 」; ; Report
emmie ★
one issue i've seen is if the street library shelf doesn't have doors and a roof that COMPLETELY SEAL, the books inside can get worn down pretty quickly. like especially with rain.
not sure if this is super relevant to your questions but just a thought i had, i think it would be so nice if more street libraries had chairs or something next to them lol :>
no no that helps thank you!!! I think we might be building our own so I'll add that to my list of things to consider. the chair thing is definitely a pretty cool idea actually! as ours might be on school grounds idk if that's possible but tbh it would be really cool to have a place for members of the public and any tourists to have a place to sit and read... thank you again!!!
by 「 Bea๑ 」; ; Report
emmie ★
yay a new blog!
yay!!!
by 「 Bea๑ 」; ; Report
mich
what is a street library
hi, so! a street library is like those little boxes on the sides of streets (usually in front or around homes) that are essentially boxes (the wooden type usually. maybe think like.. little cubbies, or things people put like eggs or something in the sell. little shelters perhaps). they hold books that people can take and also add their own books to! theyre kinda like a little library pretty much (duh.... but idk how else to explain that) where you can add your own books to share. it isnt necessary to add a book if you take one (usually) and you also dont need to return the book (unless said otherwise but most dont say to do so)
i HOPE that explains it clearly, i tend to suck at explainin,,,
by 「 Bea๑ 」; ; Report
omg stop thats so cool. i remember seeing some guy place books in an old red telephone booth box before i didnt realise thats what it was. cool asf omg
by mich; ; Report
yeah!! I've sent a couple pictures online where people revamped a fridge into a book storing thing which was actually so freaking cool too. they're great little things!
by 「 Bea๑ 」; ; Report