Since the lockdown began, many of us have found solace in reading. For bookworms like me, the closure of charity shops and secondhand bookstores presented a dilemma: how to donate our finished books? But then I discovered the South London Book Swap, a beacon of hope for book lovers during these trying times.
A Furloughed Bookworm’s Brilliant Idea
The brainchild of Millie Ginnett, a furloughed advertising professional, the South London Book Swap has been a source of joy for many people. It all began with Ginnett’s own overflowing bookshelf. “Everyone was asking me about my furlough plans,” she says, “They wanted to know if I was learning a language, taking online courses, or something else productive. But I just wanted to read! I was burning through books and after swapping a few with a friend, I resorted to buying more, which quickly became expensive and unsustainable.”
From Doorstep to Facebook: Building a Community
Ginnett, who lives in Tooting with her boyfriend, decided to take matters into her own hands. She listed about 20 of her books on local community support groups, offering to deliver them as part of her daily exercise. To her surprise, all the books were claimed within hours! This inspired Ginnett to create a Facebook group for the South London Book Swap. Within just two days, she had collected almost 300 books, going from doorstep to doorstep across south London.
A Book Swap With a Side of Blondies
The South London Book Swap has grown rapidly, attracting new members every week. Ginnett is delighted by the community it has fostered. “I feel so privileged to have met and interacted with so many wonderful people,” she says. “It’s amazing how a simple book swap can bring people together.” One lady even gave her fresh blondies in exchange for a book, and they laughed about how wholesome it was to swap baked goods for books.
High-Speed Book Drops and Wine Vouchers: A Book Swap Adventure
The book swap has been full of unexpected adventures. Another member gave Ginnett wine vouchers, which she used to celebrate reaching the 500-book milestone. One rainy evening, she had a hilarious high-speed book drop: “I was meeting a lady on her bus route home. She ran to the front of the bus and grabbed the books from me without getting off. The bus driver was very amused!”
A Well-Organized System for Book Lovers
Ginnett has a well-organized system for the book swap. She collects books from people’s doorsteps, adds them to a spreadsheet, and then photographs them by genre. Books are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Before rehoming the books, Ginnett wipes them down to ensure everyone’s safety. She then delivers them on her walks or people can collect them from a box outside her house, lovingly made by her boyfriend.
Popular Reads and Socially Distanced Chats
With libraries closed, the demand for books is high. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams and The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris are among the most popular choices. I recently snagged a copy of Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo. Since I was juggling school drop-offs, it was a delight to have Ginnett leave the book on my doorstep and to have a socially distanced chat.
A Growing Community and A Shared Passion
The South London Book Swap has become a thriving community. Currently, 378 people are signed up to receive and donate books. The group’s popularity has even inspired a sister group in Fiji!
A Lasting Legacy: Keeping the Swap Alive
Ginnett is determined to keep the book swap going even after lockdown ends. However, she acknowledges the challenges she faces: “I’m keen to carry the swap on as long as I can, but once I’m back at work, I will struggle to keep up with the collections, deliveries, and admin. And we will have to turn our library back into a spare bedroom, which means I would have nowhere to store the books.” But Ginnett is a resourceful woman. She is brainstorming alternative ways to keep the book swap going, including a weekend stall or passing the torch to another member.
A Book Swap With a Heart of Gold
The South London Book Swap is a shining example of community spirit and the power of shared passions. It has brought people together during a difficult time, proving that even in lockdown, there are ways to connect and share joy. Ginnett’s commitment to the book swap and the unwavering support of its members are sure to ensure its continued success.
