Chartham Village Phone Box Library

Have you visited Chartham’s very own Phone Box Library yet?

 

Set up in 2018 by a former local called Abegael, the library is cared for and curated by local residents Nicole Holt and Bea Berger, alongside a few other helpers, and we sat down with Nicole to find out a little bit more regarding the “small but mighty red box”.

Nicole, a 31-year-old Sessional Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University who also lives in Chartham, took the reins off Abegael, alongside Bea, to ensure the village still has to access their own Phone Box Library.

 

What sort of feedback has the Phone Box Library received so far?

“Very positive and welcomed! The library always gets positive reviews, and it has visitors from far and wide! In summer, we noticed people cycling from all over to visit the CPBL. Also, it now has a ‘Google marker’, so people can find it on Google Maps.

“We tried to be a bit selective about the donations we take because it is a small space, however, books do seem to disappear quickly! We try and make sure the resources are of good quality.”

 

How do people donate to the library?

“People donate to the library by either dropping items directly in the library or dropping them off at Alan’s shop (The Shop on The Green, Chartham, a two-minute walk from the library). We try only to encourage people to drop off good items which are either: books, DVDs and puzzles. We are always short of books for teenagers, so they are always really welcome.

“The library is all managed by volunteers. Bea and I check the library at least a few times a week. There are a few people who also help with tidying the library when they pass (Thank you to the mystery tidy uppers!). Alan, who owns ‘The Shop on The Green’, very kindly stores extra resources for us.

“The library is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You are always super welcome! Please take as many books as you like! Treat the library like an old friend, pleased to see you and always has a few new stories to share. We run events such as Easter egg hunt and book bingo! We do offer a local delivery service to those who are struggling to access the library themselves physically. We have been dropping off puzzles to one lady in the village who is currently housebound. We also donate additional stock to other charities such as Oxfam and the little library at Morrisons in Wincheap.”

 

To find out more make sure you make your way over to the Chartham Village Phone Box Library Facebook page.

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