Pop Up Library: The Joy Of Books
July 15, 2019
Over the last couple of decades, I’ve been carefully curating a special collection of books. My collection of books. Life, being that unpredictable ride we’re all on - sent me tumbling in a direction where I decided that I need to let go of the books. Not because I no longer care for them, but because I haven’t been using them. I’ve been moving around like a nomadic ping-pong ball. My book collection deserves so much more than the dust that has gathered on the covers in my storage space.
That Light bulb Moment
I decided to donate my collection; I spent an age looking for a decent place to leave my books. Then I bumped into my ex… and I’m still trying to get over my urge to give him all I have (habits and all that). We dragged the books out of storage and with the help of two Ikea trollies, they ended up back at what used to be our home.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the future of my books. And the future they deserved. I didn’t feel like I had done them justice. I pounded hard on the treadmill (getting ready for my first marathon later this year, whoop whoop) and then the idea came to me… as I couldn’t find somewhere worthy for my books - I should create one! One thought leads to another and before you know it, the idea of a popup library formed.
The pop-ups will be in wide-open spaces, and my hope is to get kids reading more (especially during the summer holidays when kids tend to have too much time and too little to do) …they’ll have access to a wonderful collection of diverse books, and who knows where that will lead. One nugget, one line, one sentence… sometimes that’s all it takes to propel you in a completely different direction. As the saying goes, you may have to return the books, but you get to keep the wisdom.
As I write this, I’m hiding away at the British Library and I’m also thrilled to be the newest member of Library in Covent Garden. And to add to this library-themed day, I’m super pleased that I’m putting my idea out there in the world. Hopefully, I’ll see you and a whole bunch of other curious minds at a popup library soon!
Sx










