Little libraries

Learn to love your books

Stories live forever, but if we don’t take care of the pages in which they are bound, physical and digital books can grow old before their time. Discuss the ways that we can look after books. You could structure this as small group discussions, or as a whole section ball-throwing game where young people offer suggestions for book care when they catch the ball. To help guide the conversation, it might be useful to use this list: 

• Don’t throw books or e-readers around.
• Put them back on the shelf, or in a similar safe place, after reading them.
• Protect books and e-readers by making sure they aren’t left outside.
• Have clean, dry hands before reading.
• Use a bookmark instead of folding the pages of physical books.
• Keep food and drinks away from books and e-readers.
• Wipe the screen of e-readers.
• Don’t colour in or draw on physical books.

Lay the foundations

Before creating your own little library (a small collection of books to share within your section), it's useful to take a trip to your local library to learn more about the services offered there.

Libraries have much more than physical books; they often contain local archives, assist the public in accessing government schemes and funds, run early years learning programmes, and most can provide you with access to thousands of e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks.

You can find nearby libraries by popping your postcode into the government’s online searcher. Local councils and charities also run Mobile Libraries, and many schools will have a small library. You could arrange a visit in place of one of your weekly meetings, or invite a librarian along to the session you’re doing this activity in.

Stock your shelves

1. Bring in a book that you would like to share with your section. If you don’t have your own copy of this book, or don’t want to lend out your copy, you could create a poster or front cover containing the title and author so that others can request it from the library. You could also look for second-hand copies at local charity shops or online.
2. Your little library could be housed in anything from a used fruit and veg box (ask at your local supermarket, as they will often give these to you for free) to an old shoe rack. Make sure to choose a container that can be easily stored at your meeting place.
3. Using a piece of white card, cut out a rectangle that's slightly longer than the length of your book. This can be used as a bookmark.
4. Write out the title and author of the book at the top of your bookmark. Beneath this, draw or write how the book made you feel. Sign off with your name and date, and then slip this bookmark into the front of your book.

Swap stories

Your library is now open for lending. Choose a title, take it home and explore the worlds contained within it. Once you’ve finished, add your thoughts and feelings to the bookmark, sign and date it, and return the book for others to enjoy.