Book boxes are spaces set up in public places where anyone can leave or take a book. In the Villé Valley, this concept has taken on particular importance, with almost one book box in every town.
A space accessible to all
These book boxes vary in size and shape. Some are small, custom-made boxes, while others take on more original forms, such as telephone booths, garden sheds, or public shelters. The idea is simple: anyone can come and leave a book they've read or take a new one.
A gesture for the planet
By leaving a book in a book box, you allow someone else to read it without having to buy it. This encourages the use of second-hand books and thus limits the environmental impact associated with the production of new books.
Origins and expansion
The concept of little free libraries originated in the United States in 2001 and quickly spread throughout the world. Since 2017, in France, the number of these libraries has increased fivefold, with more than 10,000 located across the country, primarily in city centers. Each library contains an average of one hundred books.
Why read?
Reading is an essential activity for keeping the brain active and improving attention and concentration. Regular reading allows you to discover new words and enrich your vocabulary. It also offers an escape to another world, enabling you to relax and forget your daily worries. Reading a good book requires remembering the entire plot to grasp the conclusion, which stimulates memory. Furthermore, reading is recognized as a relaxation method, contributing to stress reduction.
The team's favorite book boxes
Christelle particularly appreciates the book box in Villé for its aesthetic appeal.
Pauline has a soft spot for the one from Neuve-Église.
Audrey appreciates the telephone booth transformed into a book box in Albé.
Noémie loves the book cabin in Saint-Pierre-Bois.
Lou loves the bus stop in Urbeis that has been transformed into a book box.
Other book boxes are available in the Villé valley, be curious and go and discover them.
Access to culture for all
The book boxes are accessible to everyone, 24/7. They contain a variety of books, ranging from novels and children's books to practical guides. These small street libraries offer free access to culture, allowing those who cannot afford to buy books to discover the joy of reading.