Public book shelf up in Serangoon estate
Fancy swapping an old book for a new read?
A book shelf has popped up just outside a two-storey house on Wolskel Road in Serangoon.
The words, "Take a Book, Leave a Book", are painted on the shelf and there are more than 15 books inside, including popular novels such as The Lord Of The Rings triology and works by famous author Nicholas Sparks.
The shelf was put up by Mr Bryan Lim, who lives at the two-storey Wolskel Road house.
Such public sharing of books is part of a worldwide "Take a Book, Leave a Book" movement.
It started in the US but has spread to Europe, South America and even parts of Africa.
All Mr Lim would tell The New Paper was that he was planning an official launch of the book box on Aug 23.
His neighbours are intrigued.
A housewife living three doors away, who wanted to be known only as Madam Tay, said: "I have seen the shelf a few times while walking out to get something, but I haven't got to checking the books up close.
"My daughter loves reading, so I told her about it, and she wants to take a look soon - maybe even contribute some of her own books," said the 51-year-old.
Another neighbour, who gave his name only as Mr Tan, said: "After seeing the shelf, my children have been pestering me to put one up as well.
"I think it's a good idea . Hopefully, more people will start their own and it can become a way of sharing with each other."
GOOD INITIATIVE
Local writer and editor Alvin Pang said Mr Lim's initiative was a good one.
He said that any effort to encourage reading in Singapore, can only be a good thing.
Mr Pang said: "I'd love to see where else these pop-up libraries show up, and more importantly what sort of books get shared and swapped.
"It might also be nice to see these near leisure spots like cafes and beaches."
The National Library Board Read! Singapore-featured author said it would be even better if Mr Lim could add a little local flavour to the books on his shelf.
"I hope he shares more Singaporean books," said Mr Pang.
Little library with big reach
The movement to encourage people to read more by placing books in little shelves left in public was started by American Todd Bol in 2009.
He built a model of a one-room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former teacher who loved reading. He filled it with books and put it on a post in the front yard of his house in Houston, Texas.
His neighbours seemed to love the idea, and he started making the small libraries for them for free and they too started leaving their books there for anyone who was interested.
With a partner, Mr Bol then set up the Little Free Library to promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges around the world.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Now, there are such shelves in at least 45 states in the US.
People in Germany, Mexico, Britain and Ghana have reportedly tried something similar, to varying success.
Others have also tried to replicate such movements.
In 2012, Mr John Locke, a New York architect, installed small libraries in two New York City phone booths - but with limited success - one of the two libraries was emptied of books, and even the shelf was taken.
The phone company was forced to remove the shelf to service the phone, but Mr Locke found a manufacturer who could make custom phone-booth shelving for anyone who wanted to introduce the concept to their community.
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