Estimated Reading Time: 4min
there are these incredible things that I have only just discovered over the past two years, and they are called “Borrow Libraries”.
a few places and people might have a few variations on the name, but we’re all talking about the same things. libraries (real ones) are great, and borrowing from them can be amazing when things are in stock at your library, or you can get them transferred from a connected one. not having to purchase every single book you would like to read is an AMAZING thing for readers, particularly the readers who pick up books because they want to share their thoughts on popular books, but don’t actually have the room to store those physical copies, or just didn’t enjoy the books.
Us physical copy readers can really appreciate a brick and mortar library, but there is a more simplistic version of these libraries, and things are run a little differenlty.
With a borrow library, things are a LOT smaller of a scale, and they are run on the honour system.
As you can see in the image above, a lot of these little borrow libraries are mailboxes at peoples homes, or some are even walls inside coffee shops or in the middle of shopping centres. They are books that are maybe popular, maybe classic, any random genres and titles that can be found and donated or fit into whatever carrier they are destined for.
the honour system comes into it because basically, the main requests/rules are if you borrow a book, return it OR replace it with your own book that you think others will enjoy.
the sheer randomness that comes with one of these is what makes it interesting. you get to really read or see books that perhaps you had never heard of before. The only issue with this, is finding something that you actually want to read. Sometimes, you’re out of luck, while other times you can come across a gem!
so, the point of this post – apart from sharing with you what these things actually are, and that they exist all over the place (do a quick google to find ones near you) – is to ask the question of if they are actually worth it or not. what’s the answer?
yes, if….
like i said, sometimes you can find some really interesting or great reads, but quite often there is such an eclectic collection of books, and often you won’t really see anything that you want to read.
there was a larger version of these borrow libraries in a coffee shop near me, and i have gone back and forth there for a while now. most of the time, what’s available is not the kind of book i’m interested it. it doesn’t have what i feel like on that particular day. but then there are the days and the moments where you find something you’ve wanted to read for a while, or that you actually end up loving.
every day is going to be different, there is no catalogue that you can check, no requests that you can make – but if you like adventure and finding something new, then YES! These things will be great with every trip.
have you guys seen any of these types of libraries around your area? i’d love to hear about your experience, and if you found anything worth reading there!
See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace
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