History of Public Libraries

Libraries have existed pretty much as long as the written word has, with the earliest known librarian being from 2000 B.C. However, the first public libraries as we know them today – ones funded by the public, free for all to use – started around the 19th century. Until then, access to libraries often came attached to a membership or tuition fee. In other words, it was often limited to the wealthy or those of high status.

After the Industrial Revolution and as society as a whole became wealthier, people began to see value in making information easily accessible to all. Thus, they created public libraries. Not only could anyone access the library collections, but libraries made an effort to preserve books and other materials. Doing so helps create a record for future generations.

That’s not to say libraries have been stagnating these past 150 years. On the contrary, they are constantly evolving, adapting new services and updated facilities as time moves forward.

Centers of High-Quality Knowledge

Nowadays, people have access to near-limitless information right in their pockets and might disregard libraries’ traditional role as centers of knowledge and education. However, the trouble with the internet is twofold. One, vetting for online articles is sadly lacking. Some websites do fantastic fact-checking while remaining objective, but not all – not by a long shot. It can be difficult to determine which ones contain false or misleading information.

Two, the information you get online isn’t decided based on quality or objectivity; just the opposite. Algorithms and their inherent biases dictate what turns up in even the most innocent online search. Online, getting caught in echo chambers has almost become the norm. It takes active awareness on the user’s part to seek out unbiased sources and weigh information carefully.

While libraries aren’t guaranteed to have 100% accurate information every single time, they have the benefit of curation. Discerning librarians or the community as a whole vet books, newspapers, and other materials. This process exponentially increases the quality of information you have access to.

Preservation for the Future

One also shouldn’t discount the importance of having physical books. It’s scary to think how easily digital materials can be lost or altered. Even with that aside, digital formats and the technologies used to view them are constantly changing. The chances we will be able to view the same documents and websites of today with tech 100 years from now are slim to none.

On the other hand, physical records – despite being vulnerable to fire and other disasters – can persevere for centuries, even millennia. We know about Sumerian and Egyptian society because of the physical writing they left behind.

Programs for Those Most in Need

Books aren’t the only benefit that modern libraries offer. No matter where you go, you’ll find they offer a myriad of programs and events based on that specific community’s needs. General literacy and reading programs are common fare, but libraries don’t only care about book-related matters. Areas with a high immigrant population might provide free ESL classes. Meanwhile, those with a lot of young families might have events geared towards children or first-time parents.

Some libraries might even offer free 1-hour sessions to talk with a lawyer. This is crucial in poorer neighborhoods. After all, when money is in short supply, anyone would feel nervous approaching a lawyer – even when dealing with a serious legal issue.

As for why a library would (and should!) go so far… When you strengthen the weakest links in a chain, the chain as a whole becomes stronger and less likely to break. Similarly, when you support the most vulnerable members of the community, society as a whole improves.

Public Services for a Stronger Community

Even if you never make use of a single library program, they still have tons of useful services. Not only have many libraries broadened their collections to include audio recordings, digital materials, DVDs, CDs, and more, but many also have computers and free internet access. While getting online was once a luxury, now it’s essential for things like job searches. Many employers, for example, won’t even consider job candidates who walk in without first emailing their resume.

A few more modern libraries even offer Creator spaces with audio and video recording equipment and software. These typically have to be rented for a fee, but it’s considerably cheaper than a private facility.

Finally, there’s the plainly obvious, but surprisingly easiest to overlook: the library building itself. While private businesses keep a city’s economy alive, they leave little room for people to roam without shelling out cash. Sure, there are public parks, but that won’t suit every need. (Especially if it’s raining.)

Public libraries are one of the few places you can go without having to pay. Inside, you can find quiet reading and study spaces. It’s a perfect place for students to meet up for projects, or even to study independently. Many libraries also rent out meeting rooms, halls, and even stages at low cost for school events, clubs, and so on.

The post Strengthening Communities: The Unique Power of Libraries appeared first on Magazine.

When an Indian hairdresser noticed this, he grew concerned. Rather than doing something useful with the spare few minutes they found in his waiting room, his customers would rather just zone out and look at their phones. So he decided to do something about it.

He turned his salon’s waiting room into a miniature library, giving his customers the chance to read rather than look at their devices. Not only that, but he came up with a novel way to encourage his patrons to pick up a book.

A Phone-free Zone

Thoothukudi in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is home to a hair salon. In fact, it’s home to many hair salons, but one in particular is special. Unlike the thousands of similar establishments all over the city, Sushil Kumar Beauty Hair is a phone-free zone.

This rule was implemented by the salon’s owner, Ponmariappan. If anyone would like to use their phone while they wait for a haircut at Sushil Kumar, they need to step outside to do so. For those who remain in the waiting room and the salon itself, the entertainment is rather different.

Ponmariappan has installed a bookcase in the salon. Those who are in line for a haircut are encouraged to take a book off the shelf, and enjoy a few moments of reading and reflection while they await their turn in the barber’s chair.

Discounted Haircuts with Every Book Review

For many people who visit Sushil Kumar, the prohibition of phones is enough. They know they cannot simply reach for their smartphone, so they reach for a book instead. They gain the opportunity to broaden their minds and learn something while they wait.

But there is another encouragement too. Patrons can get 30% off the price of a haircut or another treatment from Ponmariappan. To enjoy this discount, they need to write a short review of what they have read.

Obviously no one is going to be reading a full book in the waiting room, so this is not a complete review. Instead, it’s just a few sentences that summarize what the customer has learned in that short period.

This is an excellent way to encourage learning and mindful reading. Studies into the science of memory suggest that actually writing down information by hand is a highly effective way of remembering what we read – more so than making notes electronically, or simply trying to memorize it.

Popularity Across Tamil Nadu, and Beyond

The actions of Ponmariappan, and his commitment to helping his customers make the most of their visit to the salon, have proved popular across India. The hairdresser has gained a few famous fans, and has had some helping hands along the way.

S. Ramakrishnan is one of Tamil Nadu’s most celebrated writers, and the author of works such as Desanthiri and Thunai Ezhuthu. He praised what Ponmariappan was doing in his home state.

Harsha Bhogle, a former cricketer and journalist from Hyderabad, also offered his support. A member of parliament went further, donating 50 books for Ponmariappan to add to his collection. The salon library even caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who personally met with Ponmariappan in 2020.

All in all, Ponmariappan now has 900 books on his shelves, covering many different topics. He provides books in both Tamil and English, and his making a real difference in his community.

A Passion for Education

In one sense, Ponmariappan is an unlikely candidate to start his own library. Growing up without much money, he had to drop out of school as a young man, and never fulfilled his dreams of a corporate career.

But in another sense, he’s the ideal candidate. Ponmariappan describes himself as passionate about education, and was keen to make this part of his life’s work.

“I have always thought that being a well-educated person is of prime importance,” Ponmariappan told The Better India.

“Once I established my salon, I decided to look for ways to somehow integrate my passion for education with this job, and that is how the idea came about.”

All of us can learn from this example. Regardless of our background, and regardless of how busy life can get, we can all take a few minutes to enjoy a great book, and hopefully expand our knowledge in the process.

The post The Indian Hair Salon Reconnecting Patrons with Literature appeared first on Magazine.

The Cincinnati Book Bus rapidly became a hit. Barely a year later, Melanie and her inspiring business got themselves a write-up in Forbes. It seems the residents on Cincinnati were really loving the mobile bookstore, and Melanie and her business was adding real colour and vibrancy to the literary life of the Ohio city. But this was four years ago. So, what are Melanie and the Book Bus up to now?

Tilly the Literary Star

The Cincinnati Book Bus is certainly a descriptive name, but it’s a little impersonal. Melanie wanted to change that, making sure everyone knew about the real name, and real personality, of the vehicle at the heart of the whole thing. And so, back in February 2024, it was announced that Melanie’s Book Bus would be starring in a book of her own. Now known as Tilly the Book Bus, the 1962 VW Transporter has become a hit in its own right, thanks to a charmingly vintage look and an inspiring story.

Melanie wanted to give local kids some insight into Tilly’s story and how she became such a big hit among book lovers. Working with a local artist Mike Helm, and the children’s bookseller Brian Wray, Melanie created a fitting tribute to the vehicle that has taken on a life of its own. Melanie, Brian, Mike, and of course, Tilly herself, were present at the book’s launch in March 2024.

Fostering a Real Love of Reading

You don’t need to be a book lover to recognize the charm of Tilly. The classic VW van is a thing of beauty, with a paint job to match. But it seems as if Cincinnati’s young people are coming for Tilly, and staying for the books.

Maria Schappert is the program director at Notre Dame Urban Education Center in Covington. In August 2024, Melanie and Tilly paid a visit to Notre Dame, and it seems they made quite the impression.

“Did you see the boy who took three books? He hates to read”, Maria told the Grant Moxley of the Cincinnati Magazine. “He took the books to his desk and told his tutor ‘I want to read this one first!’”

This is the kind of impact that Melanie, Tilly, and the Cincy Book Bus, are having. The project is fostering a real love of reading in the young people of Ohio – a love that is going to stay with most of these young people for their entire lives.

Making a Big Difference in Cincinnati

In recent years, Melanie has been thinking of ways to funnel the profits from bookselling back into the local community. While she’d originally been anxious about not making any money at all, she eventually found herself with an opportunity to make a big difference across Cincinnati.

“I told [my sister] ‘if I sold just one book, I would be happy’”, Melanie said. She ended up selling rather a lot more than one. The start-up costs had all been paid back within only three months of running the business, and Melanie and Tilly quickly found that the operation was highly profitable.

Running the Cincy Book Bus helped Melanie engage with the world around her in a new way. When she met a third-grade teacher from the west side of Cincinnati, whose classroom was lacking a library, Melanie understood just what she could do. She donated $500 from the Book Bus to help begin the new classroom library project at the school. This turned out to be a springboard – now Melanie donates collections of books worth thousands of dollars to local schools and institutions, people who really need them – institutions like the Notre Dame Urban Education Center.

What’s Next for the Book Bus?

“My main goal at this point is just to get the kids excited about reading,” Melanie says. What began as a lifelong dream that might never have gotten off the ground, has evolved into something truly remarkable here in Cincinnati. Whether kids are receiving one of the Book Bus’ donations, or reading about Tilly in her very own book, they can’t help but be spellbound by this exciting project.

While Tilly is still mobile, the bookstore itself has put down roots. These days, Melanie runs the Book Depot – basically, the home of Tilly, and also a space for way more books.

The Book Depot plays host to a range of different events for book lovers across the region and has become a real center of Cincy’s literary community.

And that doesn’t look likely to change any time soon!

The post The Ongoing Adventures of the Cincinnati Book Bus appeared first on Magazine.

This assumption was proved right when Poudre Library in Colorado received a checked-out book after being overdue for more than a century. The missing book came as quite a surprise for employees who received the return, exactly 105 years to the date of its checkout.

A Book With A History

In early 1919, a copy of Arthur Scott’s famed romance novel “Ivanhoe” was checked out of the then-operating Fort Collins Free Public Library. According to the checkout slip, it had only been checked out three times before and its return date was marked February 13, 1919. As fate would have it, the book would not return home for another century.

Annaclaire Crumpton, the library’s digital communications specialist, provided some insight into the book’s travels in an interview with local TV station, KUSA. She shared that an unnamed woman returned the book after finding it in a relative’s belongings.

After the story picked up national news, the returnee was revealed to be Mary Weiss, who confirmed some details on the book’s long history in a blog for Poudre Library. The book was found with her father’s belongings by Weiss’ sister. She believes it was checked out by her great-aunt, great-uncle, or possibly her grandmother and stayed with the family in Colorado for all those years.

100 Years Worth of Late Fees

Along with the check-out slip, the Fort Collins Free Public Library lending rules were found in the front of the book. According to the slip, the late fee on the book was two cents per day, plus a 25 cent messenger fee if the book was sent for. After being checked out for over a century, the book racked up a whopping $760 dollars in late fees. Originally checked out during the Wilson Administration, the fees were adjusted for inflation and came out to about $14,000 in 2024. Luckily for Weiss, the Poudre Library is now a no-fee library and stopped charging for overdue books in November 2020. 

Employees of the library praised Weiss for coming forward with the book, even though it wasn’t her missed return. She felt responsible for the book’s safekeeping and shared that she was also a long-time visitor of Fort Collins Library in her childhood. She confirmed that she has been a library visitor in the country for over 39 years and it felt good to return the book to its rightful home after all this time.

Books Are Timeless

It’s easy to see the meaning and metaphor behind this happy ending. In 1919, someone checked out “Ivanhoe,” originally published in 1819 and set in 12th-century England. The book found its way back to the library in 2024, after staying with one family for over a century. There is a timelessness about books. Their stories can span decades and generations, still catching the interest of new readers every day. Poudre Library confirmed that they have several copies of Ivanhoe in circulation today that are regularly checked out by library users. 

As the book arrived just before the library’s celebration of National Library Week, the staff believed their story represented the values of their library system: curiosity, collaboration, innovation, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and accountability.

Finally Retired

As for this particular copy of the book, Crumpton confirmed that it was returned in mostly good condition, especially when considering the length of the checkout. Weiss says this is a testament to the care and fondness her family has for reading. While this copy won’t be returned to circulation, they are working to find a special place for it in the county. The library team hopes to see it displayed in a local history museum or housed in the library where other visitors can learn about its history. 

The Poudre Library system has a bit of a luck streak for recovering long overdue library books. In 2019, they were mailed a package containing a book checked out in 1978, making it over 40 years overdue. It was sent to them by the very person who checked it out all those years ago and included a regretful message of apology. The library staff remains grateful and optimistic about their borrowers. They’re just happy that the books were well-loved over the years and returned honestly in the end.

The post Overdue Library Book Is Returned 105 Years Late appeared first on Magazine.

Across the 2022 to 2023 academic years, there were 3,362 bans enacted on books around the USA. Librarians, once points of connection to a treasure trove of literature, were being forced to take books off their shelves.

Despite this, parents still place their trust in librarians. Studies have found that families still appreciate the work of the librarian, and still value their service. So what is going on here, and how can we make sure librarians, and their libraries, stay at the heart of communities for years to come?

Banning Books and Censoring Knowledge

PEN America has been keeping a close eye on the censorship and banning of books in America. In some instances, local authorities have taken a single book off the shelf, citing its content or its themes. In others, “wholesale” bans have taken place, with libraries stripped of books and closed to the public.

Data from the second half of 2022 shows us that Texas, Florida, and Missouri are most likely the states to ban books, with nearly 1200 bans enacted between the three. Utah and South Carolina are next on the list, and both implemented more than 100 individual bans each over the period.

Among the books most often banned during this time frame, we find Gender Queer: A Memoir, by Maia Kobabe, Flamer by Mike Curato, and Tricks by Ellen Hopkins. Books by world-famous authors Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, and Rupi Kaur, were also among the top ten most likely to be banned.

Despite the Hostile Climate, Parents Still Trust Librarians

As custodians of knowledge, librarians find themselves in an awkward position. For anyone serious about the education and development of children, librarians provide an irreplaceable service. But for anyone who supports book bans, it is these same librarians who are providing this ‘controversial’ literature, and making it available to children.

This could be a serious problem, undermining the position of librarians in the community. Fortunately, it seems parents still trust librarians. A study conducted by the EveryLibrary Institute late in 2023 provided some heartening reading.

• 92% of parents, grandparents and guardians, the study said, trust librarians to curate appropriate materials for children.
• 90% said they were happy to let their own children choose their own reading material in a library.
• 96% said they felt libraries were a safe space for their own children.
• 85% said they were generally satisfied with the work of their local librarians.
• Public librarians are the most trusted profession in the USA. School librarians are the third most trusted, behind teachers and doctors.

What Does This Tell Us About Book Bans?

There seems to be a bit of a disconnect going on here. On the one hand, we have authorities demanding that books be banned, claiming to act on the behalf of concerned parents, children and families in the area.

And on the other, we have those families themselves – families who don’t seem too concerned at all, and put their trust in librarians to curate appropriate materials.

This disconnect is not lost on John Chrastka, the executive director of the EveryLibrary Institute:

“Contrary to the narratives that so-called parent rights groups are advancing, parents across America value librarians’ roles in our communities and our children’s education,” he said.

“Pro-censorship groups do not represent the vast majority of parents or guardians in their beliefs about librarians, reading, education, and civil society.”

Hope For the Future of Our Libraries and Librarians

This is a difficult time for libraries and librarians in the USA, and right across the world. Book bans are not just an American phenomenon. In 2024, PEN International released a list of bans across the world, describing how authorities in Belarus, Brazil, China, Hungary, Russia, Türkiye, and elsewhere, sought to remove works from shelves.

Highlighting the trust that parents still have in librarians will not end the process of book banning, at least, not all by itself. But it does shed some light on what is going on here. Often, governments and institutions will use the excuse of “protecting children”, or “defending families” as a reason for censorship. However, as we have seen, these excuses are often way out of step with what parents and guardians actually want for their children.

So there is hope for libraries and for the librarians who run them. These individuals provide a vital service, and they must be protected.

The post Parents Trust Librarians Despite National Push to Ban Books appeared first on Magazine.

50 Years Of Bookselling

Scarthin Books was once a family home. Then, in 1974, one room of the home was transformed into a local bookstore. At the time, there weren’t many bookstores outside of cities, and so for Matlock to have one was a brand new and exciting addition to the village. Despite starting with no capital and no experience, the bookstore and its owner, David Mitchell, were welcomed into the community. 

Only a small store, Scarthin Books has always been bound by tight financial constraints, and its saving grace in those early days came in the form of a contract with Matlock Training College. Through working alongside the college, Scarthin Books made enough money to become a fully self-sufficient business. 

In 2006, David Booker took the helm of the store as the general manager. Two years later, in 2008, Scarthin Books was rated one of the best in the world by The Guardian. Since then, the store has only gone from success to success, surviving the COVID-19 lockdowns, opening more rooms, buying more stock, and serving more customers both in person and online than David Mitchell would ever have dreamed all those years ago. 

50 years later, Scarthin Books now has 12 rooms of stock split across four floors, a vegetarian cafe, and is even home to bookish events, talks, and meetings on a regular basis. Having just celebrated its semicentennial birthday, it is clear that the team behind the beloved bookstore has no intention of letting the store go anywhere. 

Held Up By Community

With an estimated 100,000 items of stock across its legendary four flours (including along the staircase!) the old home started to struggle in 2015. Customers and staff started to notice cracks in the walls and the floor of the staircases began to bow. After assessing the situation, it was determined that the store needed about £10,000 of structural work done in order to stop the building from completely collapsing under the weight of the stock. 

As an independent store, there was no way that the bookstore could fund this work. With the hopes of some financial support, they put out a request for donations. The staff of Scarthins only hoped to generate around 50% of the money needed to keep the store open and have the building work done.

Only months later, to their surprise, the store had made nearly £12,000 from customers both in Matlock and as far as overseas. People from all over the country and the world came together to ensure that the community bookstore could stay open. Manager David Booker spoke to the press, saying he was “humbled” by the response that allowed the building to be strengthened with four steel columns.

In addition to the donations, some of the loyal customers and fans of Scarthins Books also left comments to those who run the store. One customer, who donated anonymously, said that: “the bookshop deserves to go on. It would be a real tragedy for the community if it couldn’t go on because we all love spending time there. Places like this are dying out and Cathy and Dave are very special people.”

More Stock Than A Chain Retailer

It is becoming increasingly hard to run in-person stores as many of us flock to the internet for our purchases, and it’s even harder for independent stores like Scarthin Books who have to compete with big chain stores that can afford to make mistakes and losses in a way that they simply cannot. But this hasn’t stopped Scarthin Books. 

On their website, the Matlock store estimates that they compare directly with other chain bookstores in the sales they make per square foot and per staff hour worked. The place where they differ, Scarthin’s owner David Mitchell writes, is that they easily have three times the stock of your average chain bookseller, in what is probably half the space. 

The bookstore stocks everything from children’s books to travel books, fiction, non-fiction—even sheet music. There are bookshelves on every single wall of the building. Even the stars aren’t safe from holding stock! 

A Pledge To Stay Standing

Having received such a phenomenal response, Scarthin Books was able to do all the work they needed to rebuild and correct the issues with the old building’s structure. The bookstore was able to stay open, and, according to David Booker, they hope that the work they did to the Scarthin Books building will allow them to keep the legendary and clearly globally beloved house-turned-bookstore open for at least another four decades. 

The post Scarthin Books: The Peak District’s Worst-kept Secret appeared first on Magazine.

Libraries are often thought to be a notoriously serious place, filled with studying students and stern librarians. However, maybe that reputation is nothing more than a bad rep. Because just like any job that deals with the general public, library employees have stories that will have you giggling and kicking your feet. 

So, here are 14 moments shared by library employees that will have you laughing out loud right along with us:

1. Imagine a man with a buzz cut and broad shoulders – your typical Marine. Despite his bravado, he seems a little out of place. And, when he flagged down a library employee he whispered that he needed to find a copy of Major Underwear for his kid. 

He was looking for Captain Underpants. 

2. When library staffers noticed an odd smell and a little smoke coming from one of the aisles, they went to investigate. Imagine their surprise when they found a group of teenagers trying to light Takis corn chips on fire. When confronted, the teens said they were only trying to toast them. 

Apparently, the already spicy chips weren’t hot enough for these kids!

3. Children’s story time is always an employee favorite. During one in particular, the book asked the children to match the feet pictured to the animal they belonged to. Imagine the librarian’s surprise when a picture of fluffy squirrel feet with claws prompted one of the children to guess that the feet belonged to their dad. 

Maybe their dad has fuzzy squirrel slippers? That’s definitely our hope! 

4. While browsing the aisles around the circulation desk, an elderly man’s pants fell down around his ankles. He didn’t notice right away and stayed that way for several moments. And, when he finally did notice, he simply pulled them up casually and then walked over to check out his new books. 

Can we all aspire to be as unbothered as him? 

5. A librarian was approached by a man seeking assistance. He described to them a picture he was looking for of a large rock. After gathering a little bit more information, the man revealed the picture showed a rock with a lot of blue and green on it, and it appeared to be in space. Earth. The man was looking for a picture of Earth. 

That’s some out-of-this-world service if you ask us. 

6. When a library goer was walking around looking confused, an employee approached and asked if there was anything they can assist them with. The customer then proceeded to ask if they knew where the library was. 

They were so, so close. 

7. When an architect came in with a drawing of a building he claimed to be designing, the librarian on shift asked how they could help him. The man then proceeded to request they scan the image to produce a floor plan and seemed perplexed when they explained that isn’t something they could do. 

Librarians are often able to work magic. But creating blueprints from nothing more than a drawing is not one of their superpowers. 

8. When one customer fell asleep, they began snoring so loudly that everyone could hear him. Of course, the employees couldn’t touch him, so they had to get creative on how to wake him up. They proceeded to drop heavy stacks of books near him to jostle him awake. 

We understand. Libraries are a relaxing place, and you’ll catch no judgment from us! Snooze away. 

9. Imagine a librarian’s surprise when they received an email response to a newsletter that was two years old. When they clicked into it, it was a complaint that the event outlined in the newsletter should be virtual and not in-person, as he couldn’t attend due to health risks. The event was from 2019. 

Although we do love a health-conscious patron. 

10. A group of teenage boys snuck through the library sticking cheese to every vertical surface they could find. They made sure to keep a lookout for the security cameras watching overhead. But, did not think of the employees that were watching them as well. 

Ahhh, the naivety of youth. 

11. Perpetrators aren’t always patrons. Not when one librarian shared the story of a volunteer that would walk behind the video shelves and let loose on very loud farts. 

Those are not soundproof, my friend. 

12. When a library employee wished one of their patrons a “good morning” and welcomed them to the library, the man proceeded to berate and reprimand them. 

Apparently, “good morning” is a step too far. 

13. A librarian staffer recalls one customer who would come into the library and go to the adult section. They later found out that he was going there to quietly “bless” the books. 

Isn’t that why we all go to the adult section? For “blessings”? 

14. When asked to leave the children’s section, one woman decided to rebuke “Satan” out of the librarian making the request. 

Apparently doing your job is one of the seven deadly sins. Jot that down. 

Libraries are one of the last great resources that are free to the public. They are filled with a wealth of information, and access to books of any genre. For many, they are a lifeline to the world of literature. 

And, while their usually serious reputation might be warranted, we’re hoping that the next time you go there, you might also find yourself with the gift of a free laugh as well. 

The post 14 Laugh Out Loud Stories as Told by Library Employees  appeared first on Magazine.

Book Park Lounge

What started off as a waiting room in one of Seoul’s coolest performance venues has since become an attraction in its own right. Book Park Lounge is famous for its five-story book display and unique but understated aesthetic.

Pay an entrance fee that gets you a free drink at the Lounge’s café and while away the hours. Its collection holds thousands of books and there are tons of comfortable nooks to sneak away to where you can read in private.

Check Grow Book Café

Located on the top two floors of a 9-story cultural center, the Check Grow Book Café offers an amazing view of the cityscape and an even more amazing menu. The light wooden interior and stylish design make it a delight to spend a few hours in, with comfortable single and group seating available.

If for whatever reason you don’t like the top floors, you can head down to the 6th floor garden plaza – also equipped with a decent selection of books – and relax there, instead.

Coffee Laon Library

Another book café chain, Coffee Laon Library’s various branches can be wildly different, depending on where you go. However, they tend to be more focused on the study-work aspect of a book café, providing amenities such as a digital catalog for their library collection, charging ports, and in some locations, even a copy machine.

A few recent branches have an almost zen quality, with a pristine white design with artistically positioned plant life and, in the case of the Gwangmyeong GIDC branch, an indoor gravel garden. Although the branches can be very different, they all promise a quiet space for either focusing on your work, collaborating on a group project, or de-stressing with a book.

Cafe Comma

Cafe Comma is a book café chain created by a publishing company, each with high bookshelves filled with a wide selection of books that patrons are free to browse while sipping on their latest seasonal drink.

As a chain, there are quite a few Cafe Commas you could check out, but one of the most popular is in Hongdae. That’s partly because of the slightly off-beat design that gives it a unique, stylish flair, but also because it was used as a set in the K-drama Tomorrow with You.

Yokmang Book Café

This is a book café for aspiring entrepreneurs and future business moguls. Owned and run by a business YouTuber named Jacheong, this café’s book selection focuses on finance and all that’s needed to get a business up and running, hosting regular book clubs and discussions on those very topics.

Yokmang Book Café also provides an unusual but handy array of amenities, including ear plugs, blankets, hair ties, and vitamins.

Salon de Chogo

Though book cafés are quite popular in Seoul, you don’t see a lot of book bars, making Salon de Chogo a rare gem. This bar and literary salon has a library anyone can browse, but if you’re interested in reading the book of the month, all you have to do is order the latest signature cocktail, which the owner carefully concocts based on the recommended book.

Enjoy the relaxed, laid back vibe while reading or while attending the salon’s regular open mic night.

The Forest Chosochaekbang

This former police box is now a popular café and literary haven at the base of Inwangsan Mountain. In the middle of the woods, many hikers use it as a rest-stop before or after a long trek. Its book collection reflects its surroundings, primarily focused on nature and environmental topics.

At night, you can get a fantastic view of Seoul’s city lights from its outdoor rooftop terrace.

Sojeonseolim

Sojeonseolim is a chic, artsy space that combines an art salon with a pay-to-enter library. Its collection holds 30,000 books on literature, art, and philosophy, and the art salon half hosts live art performances, lectures, and other literary and art events.

The only downside is you need to pay for a rather pricey membership to get access to Sojeonseolim’s events and a good chunk of its collection – and even then, that membership only pays for up to three hours a day of library use. And anyone who’s ever gotten lost in an interesting subject matter knows just how quickly a few hours can fly by.

Bookers

Though in a fairly home-like building, Bookers is decorated in a very artistic, secondhand museum-type fashion with a small indoor fountain, miniature Grecian columns, and a contemporary spiral staircase. It creates an interesting juxtaposition that might feel like a mishmash to some, but altogether, the book café is charming.

Tucked away from busy crowds, it makes an effort to provide a space that is both unique and welcoming, with a solid lunch menu and signature lattes. It also has a decent collection of clothes and Korean books for sale, but even if you can’t read Korean, it’s a nice escape.

Dangin Book Plant

This two-story book café has a bookstore on the first floor and a simple but pleasant café on the second. The ground floor doesn’t give off the typical indie feel of most independent bookshops, but is more like a miniature version of a general chain store, selling bestsellers, stationary, and miscellanea. It’s good for a look into Korea’s latest literary hits.

Meanwhile, the café offers a quiet, relaxing space to read and unwind off the beaten path.

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In the sun-drenched hills and rugged landscapes of Basilicata, a region nestled in the far south of Italy, something extraordinary stirs. A tiny bus, bathed in pale blue, winds its way through the countryside. This minuscule vehicle, perhaps the smallest mobile library in the world, is more than just a means of transportation; it’s a vessel of dreams, carrying a precious cargo of books.

At the helm is Antonio La Cava, a retired teacher whose love for literature and learning didn’t fade with his career. After 42 years in education, he transformed his ‘Ape’ 3-wheeler van—’ape’ meaning ‘bee’ in Italian—into a traveling book haven. This initiative brings stories and knowledge to the children of isolated villages, where books are as rare as rain in this arid landscape.

Basilicata, straddling the arch of Italy’s foot, is a land steeped in history and hardship. Once known as Lucania, it was a place of poverty and emigration, where residents left for distant cities in search of better lives. The renowned novelist Carlo Levi, exiled here during the Fascist regime, depicted its silent, resilient spirit in his memoir, ‘Christ Stopped at Eboli,’ painting a picture of a land forgotten by time and fortune.

Yet, Basilicata is changing. The once-sleepy town of Matera, now a bustling hub of culture and the European Capital of Culture in 2019, symbolizes this transformation. However, the small, secluded villages perched in the hills remain untouched by this renaissance.

It’s here that Antonio La Cava’s mission finds its heart. For over a decade, his bibliomotocarro, a charming linguistic blend of ‘library,’ ‘scooter,’ and ‘cart,’ has meandered through these hamlets. He stops in communities of fewer than a thousand souls, engaging with locals and gifting children the joy of reading. His dedication doesn’t end with the distribution of books; he also carries exercise books, inviting children to pen the first chapter of a story, then passing it to the next village to continue the tale—an exquisite relay race of imagination

“Without a book, so often the child is alone,” says Antonio La Cava.
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Antonio La Cava’s journey with his bibliomotocarro is fuelled by a profound belief in the transformative power of reading. For him, books are not mere collections of words on paper, but keys that unlock the imagination and open doors to new worlds. His passion for sharing this belief is rooted in his own experience as an educator. Having witnessed first-hand how books can ignite curiosity and inspire learning, La Cava understood that bringing books to children who might otherwise never own one was more than an act of charity; it was an investment in the future of these young minds. His dedication is a testament to his conviction that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves access to the treasures that books hold.

In the villages of Basilicata, where traditional ways of life still prevail and modern conveniences are often scarce, La Cava’s mini library on wheels is a beacon of hope and excitement for the children. He often speaks of the joy he witnesses in their eyes when they leaf through the pages of a book, discovering stories and ideas that were previously beyond their reach. His mission is not just about literacy; it’s about creating a bridge between the isolated rural communities and the vast, diverse world beyond their immediate surroundings. La Cava’s work goes beyond merely distributing books; he engages with the children, sparking conversations about their dreams and aspirations, and encouraging them to believe in their potential. This personal touch has made him a beloved figure in these communities, and his visits are eagerly anticipated events.

“I was strongly worried about growing old in a country of non-readers.” La Cava believes that it’s important to spread the joy of literature to as many children as possible: “carrying out such action has a value, not only social, not only cultural, but has a great ethical meaning.”

La Cava hopes his Bibliomotocarro brings the message that culture is made by and for everyone, not just a privileged few.

This narrative is more than heartwarming; it’s a beacon of inspiration. In a land where hardship once reigned, Antonio and his little blue van weave a different story—a narrative of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of literature. It’s a reminder that, perhaps, miracles do happen, and that the spirit of humanity can thrive in the most unexpected places.

Notes:

• Matera is the capital of Basilicata and was the European City of Culture in 2019.
• Learn more about Antonio La Cava’s mission at www.ilbibliomotocarro.com.
• Antonio’s van, a converted ‘ape’ van by Piaggio, shares its lineage with the ‘vespa’ scooter—a symbol of post-war Italian ingenuity.
• For more on Matera and Basilicata’s cultural renaissance, visit the European City of Culture 2019 website.
• Special thanks to Giovanna Iacuzio for some of the enchanting photographs.

The post A Retired Teacher’s Dream: Meet Maestro La Cava appeared first on Magazine.

For Mohammed Aziz, 71, in Rabat Medina, reading is not a hobby but his meaning of life. Aziz’s life took a tragic turn at the age of six when he lost his parents, forcing him into the challenging realm of orphanhood. Despite the adversity, he persevered, aiming to complete high school. However, at 15, the high cost of textbooks shattered his educational dreams. Frustrated, Mohamed turned to a refuge of books, surrounding himself with the solace of literature.

“This is how I take my revenge on my childhood, my situation, my poverty,” Aziz declared to Morocco World News. Having spent over 43 years in the same location, Aziz rightfully boasts the distinction of being Rabat’s Medina’s eldest bookseller. His memorable image, absorbed in reading near the doorway of his unassuming shop, serves as a notable landmark along Mohammed V Avenue in Rabat’s historic old city. 

His love for reading translates to the amount of time he spends reading books. With an unwavering commitment, he proudly states that he has delved into over 4,000 books, allocating a minimum of 8 hours daily to this intellectual pursuit. During the remaining hours, he roams the neighbourhoods of Rabat, tirelessly seeking out book vendors from whom he acquires literary gems. These treasures, carefully curated, find their place on the shelves of his store, ready to be shared with fellow enthusiasts. 

Step into Aziz’s unique bookstore wonderland and you will find that tabloid magazines go for a cool MAD 5 ($0.52), and medical textbooks are the VIPs demanding MAD 700 ($73). Working a 12-hour day, followed by a routine of sourcing the best books from competitors, integrating them into his stacks upon return to the shop, Aziz spends his remaining time reading. He shared that he’s taking breaks only for essential activities like eating, praying, smoking, and assisting customers. Despite his extensive collection, Aziz typically makes one or two sales per day.

When asked about the quantity of books, Aziz casually replies, “Not enough,” to Morocco World News.

Empathetic to the financial burden of textbooks, Aziz, who vividly remembers their high costs, proactively slashes prices for upcoming students. His aim is to remove the obstacle of expensive books, hoping it won’t be a hindrance preventing students from attending school. 

However, selling books is merely Aziz’s foremost problem. As reported by the publication, Morocco still has a high number of illiteracies, despite the country’s significant strides in reducing the rate from 87% in 1960 to 32% in 2014, as reported by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). With roughly three in 10 Moroccans grappling with illiteracy, Aziz said the low rate is not a new issue. Drawing from his own experience 50 years ago, he highlights that many young students, including himself, faced challenges in completing their education and opted not to continue to high school. “It happened to me 50 years ago, and it’s happening now.”

By keeping his bookstore open and providing the public with an opportunity to read, Aziz aspires to contribute to spreading the importance of education. With a resolute spirit, he declares, “I’ll be here till everyone can read.”

Photo Credit: WarungSejarahRI

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