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Boredom is a terrible thing. Books are a powerful solution. If you, like me, are surrounded by books at home and want to do something meaningful for those who live in your area, then try making a little library.
Little libraries are adorable. They are small wooden boxes filled with books that are fixed on posts at the front of people’s houses or gardens. They look a bit like the birdhouses of some very-well read pigeons. People are then free to borrow any books they wish from it, as well as make their own donations.
The idea was started in America, by ‘The Little Free Library’ which works to foster a sense of community and home-grown literacy. You can register your own Little Free Library with them here. If you go to their YouTube page, you’ll find dozens of instructional videos about all the ways you can build and customize your own little free library.
One thing that’s worth remembering is safety. To help keep your library hygienic, it's a good idea to place a small hand washing station nearby. With some gel, wipes and other hand washing materials.
Little Free Libraries offer a way to share books with people at a safe distance, whilst also helping you invest in the lives of people in your area.
Remember the golden rule of lending books, though: never lend a book that you can't bear to lose. Some may not come back. That doesn’t mean they aren’t loved or made a difference. Books, like shoes, have an uncanny ability to just disappear. It’s like they walk away.
But what about if you don’t have any books to give away?
Well then, you can do something equally important. If not more so.
Right now, food banks are struggling to get enough food to people. Supermarket shelves are perpetually bare and getting a grocery delivery slot is harder than getting Glastonbury tickets.
What you can do is turn your little library into a little food bank. By filling it with canned foods and other essentials, you can help people in your area who are struggling to put food on the table because of Coronavirus.
Whether with food for the body or for the mind, starting your very own Little Library is a great way to make a difference where you are.
Return to the list of practices for Christians during Coronavirus: https://www.eden.co.uk/blog/7-practices-for-christians-during-coronavirus-p1784105
