Explore The Library of Unread Books by Heman Chong and Renée Staal, an evolving project that transforms unread books into a public, participatory library.
Ever peered at your bookshelf and thought, “Whoa, I’ve got so many unread tomes?” Turns out, that’s a pretty common feeling—and exactly the situation that sparked The Library of Unread Books.
When the artists realized that we’re all kind of surrounded by books we have purchased or been given, but never actually read, inspiration struck. They felt it was such a waste to let the books go on unread, and decided to do something about it.
And do something about it they did.
The idea was simple in principle: bring unused books out of homes, off of private bookshelves, and into a space where they can be read by someone at long last.
A Library Built on Generosity
Want to join? Just donate a single unread book and—voilà—you get lifetime membership! Each donated copy is stamped inside with a note about the project, along with the donor’s name and date. Apparently, donors can even write a short note explaining why they donated it or why it remained unopened, which gives the books an extra layer of story that we’re just obsessed with.
This way, the library magically grows one book at a time, like some slow-motion fairy tale designed just for bibliophiles. It makes the whole thing super accessible, and kind of… perpetual. You take part, someone else reads, and knowledge keeps flowing.
Not Your Normal Library
Librarians, look away.
This isn’t your traditional library with the Dewey Decimal system. The books are just casually stacked on tables. In fact, random order is even encouraged. There are no dust jackets enforcing order here. Visitors are encouraged to pick up a book, wander around, and return it somewhere else.
Not only that, but there is no “shushing” in this library. In this library, conversation is part of the experience. Their mission is to turn private property into “common goods,” and that involves being allowed to share and discuss ideas, stories, and books with one another.
Why Unread Books?
It turns out that unread books can be even more exciting than the ones we’ve already cracked open. Umberto Eco and Nassim Nicholas Taleb explored this concept, with Taleb coining the term “antilibrary” to describe a collection of unread books. He even argued that such collections can help to keep us humble and curious. An unread book can keep our attention, even before we open the cover page.
By pooling unread books, Chong and Staal are tapping into this curiosity. Each unread book is a doorway to something unknown, for someone new.
What is the Library?
Created by artists, is the Library of Unread Books really a… library?
Well, Chong calls it a “social sculpture.” This is the artist’s code for a participatory artwork that is, at its core, shaped by people’s contributions.
The sculpture, or library, or whatever you want to call it, is not just in one place. In fact, it’s been wandering the world, finding homes in residences, museums, and galleries from Utrecht to Milan to Dubai!
A Global Floating Book Phenomenon
The nature of The Library of Unused Books as a roaming collection means that it is constantly changing and evolving. At the last estimate, there were 2,000 books in the collection, spanning various languages, subjects, and genres.
At the library, you’ll find philosophy, sci-fi, literary fiction, history, and maybe even things like manga and anime. It’s that randomness that makes The Library of Unused Books so powerful.
Why Does It Matter?
In a world that worships newness and curated personal libraries, The Library of Unread Books flips the script. It’s not about private showboating. Instead, it’s a shared cultural space that asks: What if unread books are not a sign of failure but just untapped potential? The project highlights “distribution, access, and surplus of knowledge,” reminding us that knowledge shouldn’t be hoarded. Here, excess becomes generosity.
Each donated book tells multiple stories: the story inside the pages, the story of why the donor left it unread, and the story of who will pick it up next.
If you ask us, that’s pretty heartwarming. You’re not just reading, you’re stepping into a web of shared curiosities.
The Minds Behind the Library
So, who’s behind this quietly powerful project? The Library of Unread Books is the brainchild of Heman Chong and Renée Staal, two artists who deeply understand not only the emotional weight of books, but also the quiet guilt that comes with leaving a novel unread..
Heman Chong is a Singaporean artist and writer whose work often explores the intersection of language, books, archives, and the invisible structures that shape our day-to-day lives. He’s known for exploring how narratives and knowledge move through society (or, sometimes, don’t), which makes this library project feel perfectly on-brand for him and his art.
Renée Staal, meanwhile, is a Dutch artist, curator, and long-time collaborator of Chong’s. Her work has a keen interest in the quiet power of everyday objects and how they can build new forms of connection.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
