A new phenomenon appears more and more in the Netherlands: De minibieb!
minibieb – borrow – exchange – keep – give
A minibieb is a mini library, to make up for normal libraries that close more and more. Libraries in the Netherlands are often owned by the local government, or municipality. Normally, people have a library pass they pay for, and then they can borrow books for a while, and then they need to return them to the library, and can only then borrow new books. If they return the books too late, they need to pay a boete (fine). This is not high, just a few euros, but the longer you keep the book, the higher the boete will be.
Because of the emergence of smart phones, tablets, E-readers, eBooks and the like, the desire to read many books, borrowed from the library decreased. People just do not feel inclined anymore to go to a library and get books there to borrow, when they can just read them online, or download them, possibly for less money. It is a bit how everybody nowadays streams movies and shows, and does not go into a video store anymore to rent movies or shows for a limited time.
So what happens with libraries? Many small towns in the Netherlands still have them, and they, of course, cost a lot of money. Especially when they are not wanted anymore, they just seem a burden and redundant. It seems like the minibieb is the solution!
The minibieb: give a book, and take one in exchange! Geven doet leven!
Now, there are small stands, where people can exchange books, like on the picture on the right. People can take a book, and keep it as long as they want. The only “payment” they need to make is to put a book of their own back in the shelf. A very nice way to borrow books! It is convenient, for free, and apparently creates a greater bond in communities.
What do you think about this initiative?
Do you know something similar in your town?
