An exploratory study of the why and how of neighborhood book exchanges—why they are created and used, how they are created and used.

Background

In 2012, neighborhood book exchanges, little free libraries, book trading posts, community lending libraries, and other “take a book, leave a book” installations were appearing in neighborhoods across North America. Hundreds of public interest stories about the exchanges, and their purported impact, were published in response. Our study aimed to explore the role and impact of the exchanges.

Methods

This study used a mixed-methods approach, relying on in-depth interviews with stewards, surveys of neighborhood residents, content analysis of media articles, and structured observation of book exchange use.

Results

As the first empirically rigorous investigation of neighborhood book exchanges, this study offers an initial framing for situating and studying the phenomenon. Our initial results discuss how neighborhood book exchange stewards in this study actively work to design and support local information practices, reinvigorating and sustaining relationships with their neighbors.

Status

To date, we have published two reports. We are currently analyzing observational data of how the book exchanges were used; in particular, the books and other items taken from and left in the book exchanges over a twelve week period. We intend to share our findings and data in the near future.

Publications