A lending library has popped up in Howick’s Pegler Drive and it’s been a hit with the locals.
Summer and Kris Farmer, devoted booklovers, came up with the idea after seeing lending library’s around the South Island.
The concept is simple; it’s a small sheltered bookshelf on the side of the road filled with dozens of donated second-hand books. The community is invited to help themselves to the free books.
Summer says it is their way of giving back to the community and sharing her love for reading with others.
Every few days Summer replenishes the library, making a point of reading the blurb of each book individually to make sure there is a good range for people to choose from.
“The first thing we did was put a call out of the east Auckland grapevine, asking people to donate their unwanted books to help set up the library.”
Summer says they ended up with more than 200 books dropped at their doorstep.
“It’s taken off much better than I thought,” she says.
“Some people return the books when they’re finished so that others get the chance to read them as well, which is wonderful.”
The library has something for everyone; children’s books, fiction, non-fiction and a range of different genres.
She says weekdays are most popular for the lending library with students and parents picking up books on their way to and from school.
“I put a lot of Goosebumps books out and I see young boys stuffing them into their bags as they walk past,” she laughs.
The lending library is waterproof and has a motion censored light inside for when people stop by in the evenings.
People are also encouraged to leave second-hand books they no longer need in the library.
“It’s been a passion project for us and I like knowing we are bringing a little bit of joy to the community.
- The lending library is located on Pegler Drive, Howick.
- Take a book, borrow a book or leave a book.
