bookSWAP
Get your workplace reading by setting up a bookSWAP shelf. This is a simple way to run a small lending library, broaden everyone's literary horizons, and get some good discussions going around the water cooler.
A recent survey of over 1,400 workSMART users showed that 91% would be interested in using a bookSWAP shelf or a workplace book group if there was one, but only 22% of workplaces already had something like this.
Why not set up a Swap a Book scheme in your workplace? If you’ve read a good book lately, pass it on for others to enjoy. It’s simple to set up and easy to run. Everyone wins from it, as staff get to find out more about each other and enjoy their time at work, whilst employers get a boost from having a more literate workforce.
How to do it.
- Get your employer to provide a shelf or bookcase, maybe in the canteen or staff room if you have one. It needn't be big, especially to start with, and maybe you can convince them to put in a larger one if the scheme takes off.
- Download a copy of the scheme rules and edit it as you want to fit your scheme. Print this out and display it on the wall near the shelf.
- Now you need books. Get your employer to provide some starter books if they will – why not use the new Quickreads titles? – a full set will cost your boss less than £24 if they use the vouchers. Alternatively, or to get more, put out a note around your workplace, asking everyone to donate a book they've read - perhaps to start off by giving in the one they read last.
- When you get books, download and print off our bookplates, and stick them in the front leaf of each book with glue or tape. Everyone who borrows the book can record their name, any quick thoughts they've had on the book, and a tick-box review to show what they thought of it. This should really help get discussion going if people can see each others' experiences and recommendations.
- Hold a launch one lunchtime, and get your boss to declare the shelf open. Send out notes to all staff to let them know, and keep promoting the scheme. Use your office intranet if you can to promote new books in the collection, or to show a page of interesting comments from the books as they are returned.
- Get more books. After a while, some of your books might have done the rounds and can be retired for new ones. Why not make sure they have a happy home, and can do some good too, by donating them to a local charity shop. Oxfam have a network of dedicated bookshops, which are also great places to pick up some new titles for the shelf!
Downloads
- Scheme rulesheet - download this, edit it to fit your scheme, then pin it up next to your shelf. This is an rtf format document that you can edit in your wordprocessor.
- Bookplates - download these and paste them into your books. This is an Adobe pdf file, so if you can't see it you may need to install free Adobe Acrobat reader software.
More information:
- Quick reads - the new scheme with affordable, accessible books from top authors. Download discount vouchers from their website.
- Oxfam book shops - type your postcode into this box to get a list of your nearest Oxfam bookshops:
Let us know any good (or bad) stories about your workplace's bookSWAP scheme by emailing bookworm@worksmart.org.uk
