When I saw this book by Lonely Planet titled Hidden Libraries I couldn't resist checking it out. There are 50 libraries here that would make a good international travel list for those of us who love books. Exotic locations and more.
"Book swap your latest read in a cool 1950s style fridge in New Zealand or hike through the ethereal woodlands of Eas Mor in Scotland where a hidden library in a small log cabin awaits. Each entry shares the library's mission and impact on the local community and offers fascinating stories from its resident caretaker."
Here is an excerpt from the Kenyan mobile library:
"Every morning the Kenyan Library Service prepare three camels for travel. The party consists of a librarian in charge, two assistants and a skilled camel herdsman who knew how to keep the moody beasts healthy and in check. One camel is tasked with carrying a whopping 400 books, another is packed with a tent, reading mat and chairs. The third just waits for one of the other two to fall apart so it could sub for it. They work Monday through Thursday and travel 7 miles in any direction from home base."
Nice photos accompany the stories and it's well worth a browse if you like books and travel. I particularly liked this one of a phone booth library. This one is in Somerset England and according to the book, Queen Camilla has been known to drop off books at these unique box libraries for others to enjoy. There are many other locations in the British Isles which would make a good U.K. travel vacation for a few weeks.
This book is shared with:
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out for the 2025 Nonfiction Reader Challenge. Category: Travel
Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon
Vicki for Monday Mailbox
Joy for British Isles Friday
I'm definitely adding this to my list. I hope I can find it!
ReplyDeleteMy library had it and it's so interesting to read about off the beaten track places to get books. Hope you can get it!
DeleteYay! Happily, my library has a copy, too, though it's checked out and has a waiting list. Thank you for sharing it.
DeleteThis must be a fascinating read. Hooray for everyone involved with making books available to as many people as possible. In literacy, especially for girls and women, lies the future of the world.
ReplyDeleteDavid, it's a fabulous book and I admire the people who dedicate themselves to giving access to books to others.
DeleteI love the idea of bookish travel and this looks like a beautiful book! Your post reminded me of a 2010 novel, The Report by Jessica Francis Kane, about the 1943 Bethnal Green tube station disaster. I remember enjoying it very much and wrote about it here:
ReplyDeletehttps://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2011/05/report-by-jessica-francis-kane.html
JoAnn, im glad you shared the link with me, that sounds like a book i would enjoy. This book is a beauty.
DeleteNow this camel mobile library is for real? Oh my goodness. Wild to imagine a traveling camel caravan of books. That would be something. I like the idea of Hidden Libraries.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I think you would love looking through this book. There are people making books accessible via converted food trucks, transforming al sorts of things such as a cooler in New Zealand...It would make a great gift for book lovers too!
DeleteI'd love to see different libraries. Thanks for sharing this list.
ReplyDeleteLux, it's a great travel book.
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma. There are a couple entries for France as well....I ought to have included those.
DeleteI want to see a camel library!!!!
ReplyDeleteJinjer, I think that one shut down for a while but what a cool idea and so neat book people want to bring the books to those who want to read.
DeleteI love the idea of going ona world tour to visit these hidden libraries. But first I have to travel the world to see all the best trees.
ReplyDeleteAnne, it could be a combo tour for trees and libraries :-)
DeleteHow cool! Sounds like a fascinating book. It’s nice to see those red U.K. phone booths repurposed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olivia. Those old U.K. phone boothes were in big demand when they started selling them.
DeleteI'm also going to look for this as I love libraries!
ReplyDeleteJackie, it's such a fun book to flip through and so many interesting stories.
DeleteThis looks like a wonderful book to look through for book lovers and armchair travelers!
ReplyDeleteOooh, this is very tempting!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I MUST see if my library has this one! I lived in Kenya for two years and back then I don't recall a library system!
ReplyDeleteOh how fun! I like the variety both of locations and libraries. I'll have to look for this one.
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