While libraries close across London, one man has found the answer sitting on his garden wall.
London’s first branch of a new breed of miniature book lenders – which originated in America – has captured the locals’ attention, six months after its founding.
The Little Free Library is a two foot tall box perched beside a house in Powerscroft Road, Lower Clapton, filled with books people can swap or borrow free of charge.
Books have flown off the shelves of the two-foot box since over twenty people attended the opening in September last year.
Gilbert Smyth, who created the box from recycled materials, said: “I came across the Little Free Library concept through my networks in the States and loved the idea of sharing or gifting knowledge, ideas and stories through books.
“The philosophy that literature is always a gift and never for sale really appealed as a way of connecting the community and promoting the new sharing economy.”
Several people left notes of encouragement and thanks inside the library box, and there has even been a video tribute.
One note read: “I saw this idea in the US and am so happy to see it here. It’s simple and beautiful, thank you. Our kids love it too.”
Daniel Farmer, of nearby Millfield Road and whose son attends school nearby, said: “If there were something there which caught my eye, I would definitely use it.”
The new library is part of a global movement of an estimated 15,000 similar projects, although there are only a handful in the UK and Europe.
@KatieVMarston