Stoward’s Street Library an instant hit

A RELUCTANCE to throw out old books and desire to get the community reading more has seen John Stoward set up a new Street Library in Drysdale.

Street Library was founded in 2015 on the concept of a free library movement that encouraged literacy and community. There are more than 1,500 registered Street Libraries in Australia.

Mr Stoward came across the idea on the internet and quickly decided he wanted to start his own.

“I hate throwing books away and I’ve got an awful lot. I saw some sample photos (of Street Libraries) in NSW and thought ‘Some of them look pretty ordinary, I can do better than that’,” he said.

Along with a handyman friend, Mr Stoward built the library and filled it with his own collection of books and DVDs.

Mr Stoward placed it out the front of his house at 27 Carolanne Drive last week and said he saw an instant response.

“I finished it on Friday afternoon and immediately a couple of books were taken and dropped off and then a couple more. So, it’s very encouraging.”

There are no rules about how people should use the library. Mr Stoward said his priority was to simply see the books read.

“A couple of people said, ‘Aren’t you worried about people just stealing the books?’. I’m giving the books away; it’s a very nice feeling knowing that if someone is going to be bothered to take it, they’re likely to read it. “A couple might get taken, but I could not care less.”

Nevertheless, Mr Stoward said some users have already shown an eagerness to not simply use the library but contribute to it. “On Saturday a couple of books went and they were replaced by a couple of books. So, it’s off to a fine start.”

Mr Stoward sanitises the books each day with antiseptic spray to reduce the risk of transmission of any viruses.