Naseby Book Exchange

A book exchange is a simple idea for a community – you need a collection of books, then anyone can take a book, leave a book and either bring the book back or share with someone else. The first requirement is a site with storage to keep the books.

We first had the idea in November 2021 and formed a small working party of people to set up an exchange for the Naseby itself and the wider community. The application to KWCB wasn’t too onerous and when the grant was given we got to work; ordering a shed, finding a site for it and collecting books. We were very fortunate in getting the support of the Methodist Chapel for our site in their front garden which has proved to be ideal and all the keen readers of Naseby donated books. We were very fortunate that one volunteer could build a shed and three of us spent a Sunday in June doing that together.

Our Grand Opening on July 1st 2022 was quite an occasion and the local MP Chris Heaton-Harris was invited to cut the ribbon. It was a whole village project in the end and the opening was very well attended.

The village has taken to the exchange with enthusiasm and we have an active Facebook page and are also on the world map of Little Free Libraries. Our visitor’s book has comments such as ‘I’ve rediscovered my love of reading’ and ‘cool books’ which is a great result.

“It couldn’t have been done so well or so easily without the support of KWCB!”