A real cool read
Anne Heazlewood of Pearns Steam World browses books from the new street Library in Westbury
JULY 2017 | Marguerite McNeill
IMAGINE A fridge full of books that are there for you to borrow for as long as you like and don’t even have to take back!
You can do just that at the new Street Library located at the gate of Pearn’s Steam World in Westbury.
And best of all, without a due date stamp the library also incurs no fines.
Many of us remember fondly the days when the date on the library stamp was just a reminder and late returns were just an embarrassing hiccup.
No one fussed too much, it was just how it was - until the dreaded fine system took hold.
Nowadays, whatever your walk in life, time seems to go much faster and in my book that due date library stamp wins the race every time.
But it all slows down at Westbury where, at the Street Library, you can browse and borrow for free.
The library welcomes donations of once-loved books that can go into the selection of titles for others to share.
The project was initiated by Steam World secretary Anne Heazlewood who saw a similar free library when travelling in England a few years ago.
“I saw one in a Lincolnshire village,” she said. “I thought it would be great for Westbury.”
“A lot of people who like to read have too many books and need to de-clutter their homes.” This way they can pass on treasured books for others to enjoy.”
Mrs Heazlewood said that the 1950’s fridge/freezer once belonged to her grandmother Eliza Pearn and had been a new acquisition when power came to Station Lane in Hagley.
The fridge is now filled with books bearing a Steam World stamp and sorted into categories that include fiction and non-fiction, children’s and adults. Some magazines are also on hand. A couple of wheelbarrows cater for the overflow.
Readers are also supplied with promotional bookmarks with contact details for Steam World, including the surprise announcement of free WIFE on site. Laughing at the typo Mrs Heazlewood said that free WIFI was definitely available. A free wife might even be found she added, as the library was a good draw card for women abandoned by husbands who were keen to check out the Steam World machinery.
Delighted by the positive response to the library Mrs Heazlewood hopes that it will encourage other communities to consider a similar venture. “I hate waste,” she said.
“The books keep coming and going. There’s no excuse for kids not reading.
“The books are here for everyone to read and return or to keep. I hope some end up in Darwin.”
Photo | Mike Moores
