Forum Topic

Acton Central BookSwap

We're putting at least 200 books a week there so someone must be reading.The only problem is that it gets untidy really quickly and though I tidy it daily, that's not enough.Please could anyone using the station just stop for thirty seconds and straighten the books.Colin at the station say management think it looks untidy and they could close us down on that basis. That would be so sad.If you want to know how it came about, here's a blog I wrote for London Book Swap: http://londonbookswap.wordpress.com/

Sara Nathan ● 5110d73 Comments

Happy to oblige and I will encourage my son to do likewise en route to Richmond College.I'd call this a great success.  Is you incoming stock keeping pace?

Sally Rivlin ● 5110d

Sometimes!Ellie has been stocking like mad and I have had several generous donations plus Judith put in lots of children's books - all of which vanished instantly!I put in 15 yesterday and again this morning....Ellie added thirty and then suddenly we have had an influx so the shelf is overflowing - maybe people are starting to return them - now read.Good fun though - I keep imagining who has borrowed what: Fodor's Guide to Portugal, poetry in Russian and French and a slim volume on sex toys being among the more imponderable.

Sara Nathan ● 5109d

perhaps they are all being sold at car boot sales!

Dee Cook ● 5109d

The bookswap is a great idea and I do tidy up when I'm there if it needs it. I saw a similar railway station bookstall in Kent the other day and they asked for a small donation, minimum 50p I think, which would be donated to a charitable cause. Maybe that could be considered for Acton?

Andrew Dodgshon ● 5109d

Hello there, I am a local resident in Acton, I live very close to Acton Central station. I am happy to take a look at the book shelf and tidy it whenever I pass, most days. I also have a collection of children's books which I was bringing to the charity shop but will place at the station if you think they will be used? I have lived in Acton for 22 years and delighted that there is finally a real sense of community.Fiona

fiona daly ● 5109d

OH YES PLEASEsorry to shout but the thought of a pile of children's books is so exciting!And all offers of tidying welcome - do just do it as you pass - the bookswap belongs to everyone.On donations: I thought about it - they do it in Homebase I think - but the thought of the trauma when inevitably there are thefts and the worry was too much. I'm just not sure that an open access place is the best one in Acton to ask for donations - we can't even keep two plastic bookstands for more than a couple of weeks. But no, Doris (ever the optimist) I don't think they are being taken to sell as the station staff say people only take one or two books and there is virtually no market anyhow.

Sara Nathan ● 5108d

Came past the books tonight, all prepared to tidy them and it looked absolutely immaculate!

Nina Battleday ● 5108d

I had a little tidy just after 1800 - but it was pretty good - and heaving with books. Might remove a couple of the more arcane factual ones in a dilapidated state

Sara Nathan ● 5108d

.......not an optimist Sara, but a realist.    Something quite different.An idea, Perhaps if the book shelf was screwed to the wall (if the Station Manager would allow it) at head height it would be more visible/accessible and the station cleaners would have an easier job.Also, what about a notice-board next to the shelf - specifically to advertise good quality household items that people would like to go to good homes.  That would save them being taken down to the Council's dump (saving transportation costs and landfill tax).

Dee Cook ● 5108d

No complaints from the station cleaners so far and i don't want ot push my luck by asking for a permanent attachment to the station structure.Se havde a noticeboard - you must have noticed it Doris, it's huge!Some of that could be recycling notices if that was wanted.

Sara Nathan ● 5107d

Thanks to all for keeping it tidy - it generally is now.I was just about to put in a plea for some donations either to me or direct there, when I went down lunchtime today to see that some kind soul - or more than one - had put in squillions of books and it was overflowing!German, Russian and French have all been donated and taken. We must be a cosmopolitan lot.Oddly enough, the sex toys volume hasn't returned yet.

Sara Nathan ● 5098d

It was refilled this morning :)

Ellie Rose ● 5098d

Oddly enough, the sex toys volume hasn't returned yet.????

Nicola Howard ● 5098d

Well the idea is that you borrow a book, read it and return it.Some kind soul donated what looked like a Dorling Kindersly book about sex toys - honestly!It was huge tooSomeone took it - and it hasn't been returned.Just saying.

Sara Nathan ● 5098d

Maybe they are working on the Kama Sutra... It will take time.Anyway I thought Ann Summers was the authority on sex toys, not that I would know.  I wonder I some kind person will put the catalogue on the stand?

Nicola Howard ● 5098d

It was probably worth a fortune

John Pollastrini ● 5096d

When I popped in for a little tidy up this evening there was a worthy tome from the Chief Rabbi, a PG Wodehouse novel, several very old children's annuals including Captain Scarlett plus the inevitable Tom Clancy, Dan Brown and James Patterson.But yesterday's glut has vanished.So I am depending on Rose, who is moving house, to come up trumps.

Sara Nathan ● 5096d

Am almost out of books - so any donations really welcomed!

Sara Nathan ● 5094d

I'm all out of the sacks I was given over the summer.May have to resort to my own stashes of John Grisham and Mavis Cheek at this rate.The Joanna Trollope has gone already.Donations therefore particularly welcome.

Sara Nathan ● 5089d

Actually, I have a couple of sacks of paperbacks I have been meaning to heave around. Do they have to have front plates? I had a look today on the way back from yoga and I notice the notice doesn't suggest you return them. Isn't the intention to lend rather than to give?

Maire Lowe ● 5089d

I have stickers for each book - would you like to drop them round here? Or I can pick up tomorrow evening (when husband is being awarded a medal by the worshipful company of musicians and I am not invited - I feel like fairy Carabosse)or Friday.

Sara Nathan ● 5089d

I feel like fairy Carabosse)Do you refer to Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping Beauty?

Nicola Howard ● 5089d

I'm not sure  whiCh version calls the slighted fairy godmother fairy Carabosse. Maybe it was caryl Brahms and SJ SimonAnyhow she was snubbed and vengeful - which is how I feel

Sara Nathan ● 5089d

The slighted fairy godmother fairy Carabosse from Sleeping Beauty.

Nicola Howard ● 5089d

Unfortunately out this evening as taking 'about to leave the country' son out to dinner.  Otherwise would offer consoling drink. Good pic of the slighted fairy godmother Nicola.Feel should do some sticking myself. What about my collecting stickers from you, sticking and delivering books? Will go to yoga this morning. Could collect as I stagger back about 11.15? Any good?

Maire Lowe ● 5089d

Great pic: she is slimmer then me but no crosser!Maire - tomorrow daytime not on as am working at elephant and Castle. But in early evening and much of Friday.

Sara Nathan ● 5088d

Great pic: she is slimmer then me but no crosser!Woe betide those who deprive you of that delicious Crack cake.

Nicola Howard ● 5088d

I asked all those excessively literate people spouting poetry last night to donate to the book swap and have quite high hopes that at least some will do so.That doesn't let you lot off though!

Sara Nathan ● 5087d

Jane and Ellie and Susan all seem to have donated over the weekend and by yesterday afternoon there were four packed shelves and a huge variety.Will be passing later today - it's always quite exciting to see what comes and goes (if you are a very sad person like me)but more children's books always needed.

Sara Nathan ● 5084d

Totally out of childrens books. Filled shelves up yesterday morning. Not sure how long they will last of course.....xx

Ellie Rose ● 5084d

Several people must have donated recently as there was a box-full by the shelf yesterday - but there are gaps again this evening.Apparently the LOROL management who visited recently thought it was great and are keen to see others along the Overground. So if you know residents' groups along the line - or even just a few people - who might be interested - do let me know.I'm about to write an enthusiastic letter to LOROL bosses with all the London book awap details.

Sara Nathan ● 5081d

arriving tomorrow.Yippee.thanks Rose

Sara Nathan ● 5078d

Sara - I'm a bit out of touch with this thread.  Are books being donated to go to you?  I'm amassing a small pile, may include some children's books.

Kim Bobsin ● 5077d

As you wish!They can go straight there or to me in which case I will put "please return" stickers in them - not that it makes much difference.Rose's stash is incredibly high-minded and full of poetry and DH Lawrence. I wonder how it will go down...well, we are about to find out.

Sara Nathan ● 5077d

My mum has just donated a huge and eclectic range of books - mostly novels.Picking up the complete works of Edwina Currie next week - lucky readers (or not)But Nathan's law of book donations remains intact: Of course there was a Dan Brown in the mix!

Sara Nathan ● 5059d

I'm bringing another dozen on Sunday.

Susan Kelly ● 5059d

Thanks so muchWhat a star!

Sara Nathan ● 5058d

Packed with a huge range of volumes yesterday so thanks to donors.I actually saw someone bring a book back as I stood there. A first! Hurrah.

Sara Nathan ● 5056d

Excellent! I was going to take some up later but will wait a bit.

Chris Hurley ● 5056d

Bizarrely someone has added the Old Testament in German and a whole set of psychological journals - also possibly in German.And there were two women wanting to remove many of the children's books - all bible stories.All life's rich mix is there!

Sara Nathan ● 5053d

When you say wanting to remove them, it sounds as if they disapprove of their being there. Is that what you meant?

Susan Kelly ● 5052d

Oh no not at all - I think they wanted the lot - and took several - for their or other children.I just said I thought they maybe shouldn't take all of them - all at once - to which they agreed.Kids books being a rare commodity

Sara Nathan ● 5051d

Distressing tale from the young women who staffed the 02 stall at the station all last week.Apparently a "French woman" - not sure how they knew - took about 25 books away with her - TWICE!They asked her why she wanted so many and she answered "To read of course"Doesn't sound likely though does it?I've asked the station staff - who were quite shocked - to keep an eye out and ask her to take just one or two - and we will be putting up a notice requesting the same. Shouldn't be necessary though.If anyone sees something similar, could you just explain nicely that this is a community resource and taking that many books is not acceptable.I await a discouraging comment from Doris!

Sara Nathan ● 5047d

Thanks to Iain for a lovely large bagfull - but in breach of Nathan's law of book donations as NOTHING from Dan Brown.And to my mum for another bag - not sure who is going to want to read Edwina Currie's collected works in hardback (even - or especially - signed and personalised)

Sara Nathan ● 5042d

would be happy to arrange something at The George and Dragon, been meaning to get a nice bookcase in anyway, bookclub also maybe, up for any ideas,let me know

David Hawkins ● 4978d

What a good idea! Several of the local pubs have book swap shelves: the Rocket, the kings head on the market place and the new Acton arms too I think.The  Rocket hosts a Bookclub but I bet there's room for another one - it just takes a couple of people to start it.In the meantime, the station swap could do with some donations!

Sara Nathan ● 4977d

I've got a bag full and will be dropping them off on Friday

Sally Rivlin ● 4977d

Yippee - last time I looked, it was a bit sparse

Sara Nathan ● 4977d

Many thanks to Citydeal Estates and Cathy Collis for great big book donations.We now have masses of children's books and a lot of science and law too. Will start re-stocking this evening.

Sara Nathan ● 4974d

Dropped off about 10 childrens books this afternoon - shelves looking a bit thin.....

Samantha Bower ● 4972d

I have put at least 50 books on the shelves since last Thursday.......I'm sure they disappear into thin air....

Ellie Rose ● 4972d

I've put in a large bag - mostly childrens - this afternoon and a big bag yesterday evening - economics and some children and some in (I think) Urdu or Punjabi.Yet there is no evidence for months that anyone is running off with sacks of them.Even the cookbooks go!All I have now is a dozen cookbooks, a fair bit of economics and a lot of children's - so if anyo0ne has paperback, adult fiction , that would be SO welcome!

Sara Nathan ● 4972d

What about an indicator/sticker for when a 'borrower' returns a book to the shelf, signing the book back in ? and a comments/review book for those that return. As it stands you seem to be providing a large and useful 'input' but with little returns. Just a thought from someone who has never used the station!

Iain Muir ● 4972d

We put labels in most of the books...and there are two notices asking people to return them.But plastic stands for display were ripped off immediately so I have never got a book for notes or borrowing together (the same goes for any form of charging mechanism)But the station stagff keep a good look out. It may just be really busy and providing a fantastic service to people with little access to a change of books. If so, it's certainly worthwhile.

Sara Nathan ● 4972d

I have never seen so many Mills & Boon volumes in one place in one time. They don't seem to be going that fast , so if this is your thing, do trot along to the station!

Sara Nathan ● 4934d

Ah! I think I know who donated them - a fellow Weight watcher I believe!

Chris Hurley ● 4933d

Ah, a book diet!

Nikki Howard ● 4933d

Very chuffed to come back from  a week away and find the bookswap in flourishing health with loads of books and people looking at them.It's taken nine months but I think it has come of age and is being sustained by the community.Hurrah!

Sara Nathan ● 4910d

Hi, A really big thank you to whoever put Rosumund Uptons 'Afterwards'in the book swap - a brilliant read and I really enjoyed it. I'ts currently doing the rounds now with my friends.The Acton bookswap rocks!Carl

Carl Tamboli ● 4900d

It's so fantastic to hear that!There were two young women choosing books there today when I got off the train - always uplifting to see.And we are still going through no end of books a week - slightly erratically.If anyone has children's or poetry, those seem to go particularly fast. But "superplonk" has remained resolutely on the shelf for three weeks. May need to swap it out (euphemism for dump quietly)

Sara Nathan ● 4899d

Just brought in a dozen or so books from the stash. And blow me , it's practically empty. But I can't do much about it for the next day or two - too frantic. Could someone take some stock in?Nearly two shelves worth is empty

Sara Nathan ● 4898d

I took some up on Wednesday but have more I will drop by later this morning.

Chris Hurley ● 4898d

I have about 10 or so to drop off.  If you are  planning a trip to Disneyland Paris or want to learn Dutch.... And a few others Will pop them in bookcase at lunchtime

Apple Leiper ● 4898d

How funny! Someone donated a load of travel books recently and I put a euro Disney one in this morning. They do go fast though.Thanks both

Sara Nathan ● 4898d

I'm wholly out of fiction and children's booksStill have masses of factual: travel, aquariums(!) business and art.No novels.Can anyone help?

Sara Nathan ● 4891d

You do sometimes wonder just who has made a donation..yesterday morning it was nearly empty and now it is heaving with a combination of medical books - looks like someone has given up their medical practice or studies. But also a great range of herbalist/homeopathy books.Can this be the same person? Surely not but what a coincidence.Anyhow, it's practically fiction free at the moment so novels really welcome.

Sara Nathan ● 4887d

I have a few novels I would like to pass on and for the last 2 weeks have been meaning to do so.  I WILL pop them in shortly.Are people returning books?  It seems not.  I may be blind but I have never seem anything indicating you take book,  read and return.  But maybe it doesn't matterif they are returned.Are the medical books still there would not mind a peek.

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4885d

I have a few sitting upstairs that belonged to son. Will drop them in tomorrow. Only have 1 adult fiction. I did return the book I borrowed! :-)

Apple Leiper ● 4885d

Some people DO return them, others obviously not. There is a A4 notice asking people to put books back.Also, about 2,000 books placed there have had a sticker in them asking people to return them.And the one thing we can be sure about our borrowers - they can read!The medical ones had nearly all gone by this morning.But the odd volumes of encyclopaedia linger -- anyone have a constructive idea about what I can do with them?

Sara Nathan ● 4884d

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4884d

Sara Nathan ● 4883d

No idea what happened there!!  I popped in  novels yesterday including We Need to Talk about Kevin as I feel it proper to spread the misery and bleakness!!  The shelves looked pretty full.

Emilia Fitzpatrick ● 4882d

Fantastic! thanks so much. We've had several copies through - maybe not so many feel the need to read it twice. But it always goes quickly

Sara Nathan ● 4881d