Culture

Outdoor libraries for Cairo commuters

02 Feb, 2018

Place A Book, Take A Book project promotes reading in Cairo.

Three mini outdoor libraries, housed in wooden cabinets, have appeared on streets in downtown Cairo in recent months.
The Place A Book, Take A Book initiative is intended to promote reading among all ages, with books available in numerous genres as well as several languages.
Founded by Egyptian businessman Nader Riad, the project involves the exchange of unused books, contributed by the public. The project's director Labib Samir says that it is a way of re-circulating abandoned books.
The libraries, which are left unlocked and unmonitored, are located on Alfy Street and Emad El Deen Street, with plans to expand around downtown Cairo within the next year.
The publicity surrounding Place A Book, Take A Book coincides with the 49th Cairo International Book Fair, the largest and oldest book fair in the Arab world, which takes place from 27 January until 10 February and this year sees the participation of 27 countries.