Public bookcase
Public bookcases as new social meeting places
Many books are only read once, after which they sit unused on the bookshelf. At the same time, there is often no library in smaller towns. This is where the cooperation with Westenergie comes into play:
Citizens exchange their finished books via the public cupboard, free of charge and uncomplicated. The cupboards are in public places, which are enlivened and developed into new social meeting places. This works best in combination with seating. The cabinets are made of weatherproof steel and have glass doors.
Bookcases in the municipality of Konz:
City of Konz - Bahnhofstrasse
Encouraging people to read – that is the idea behind the public bookcase. The system is simple: someone puts the books they have already read in the cupboard, others take one out.
Thanks to the initiative of Innogy SE, the citizens of Konz can exchange books free of charge, anonymously around the clock and without any formalities. The constant exchange ensures that there is always changing reading material.
A children's compartment is intended to help children become even more enthusiastic about reading.
The public bookcase is easily accessible on Brückenstraße next to the bicycle boxes at the main train station. The location was deliberately chosen because many people pass by and there is seating.
There is room for around 250 books in the street furniture that has been set up. The cabinet was designed by the Cologne architect Hans-Jürgen Greve.
Volunteer sponsor of the bookcase is Mr. Kramp, owner of Konzer Hummingbird Bookstore . He regularly checks that everything is in order and sorts the books that have been parked.
Konz-Niedermennig - Corner between Falkensteinstrasse and am Herrenberg
Literature to go: the bookcase invites you to swap and browse - Westenergie opens exchange for books in Konz-Niedermennig
Literature lovers don't just throw good books away - instead, they can also be shared by several bookworms. The citizens of Konz-Niedermennig now also have this opportunity. The new exchange for books that have already been read is on the village square in Konz-Niedermennig on the corner between Falkensteinstraße and Herrenberg.
"As a partner of the city of Konz and the district of Niedermennig, we not only take care of the energy supply, but also get involved in social and cultural areas. We're happy when the bookcase quickly develops into a meeting point for exchanging literature," explains Michael Arens, head of the Trier region at Westenergie. "The bookcase from Westenergie is a great offer with which we can revitalize the public space in our community and support the culture of sharing," emphasized Joachim Weber, Mayor of the city and the Konz community association.
The system is very simple: someone puts the books they have already read in the cupboard, others take them out. The library is open around the clock, is made of weatherproof CorTen steel and, with its slim shape, blends easily into the public space. The doors close automatically so that the books are always protected from the rain. The lower compartment is intended for children's books, so that the little ones can easily reach the books. Volunteer godparents keep an eye on the bookcases, regularly check that everything is in order and sort crime fiction, novels, non-fiction and children's literature appropriately.
As volunteer book sponsors, Hans Marx and Theo Gerhard are involved in the new bookcase in Konz-Niedermennig. The new bookcase is initially equipped, so that bookworms from Konz can draw on plenty right from the start of the swap meet.
The now more than 240 bookcases are spread across the entire core area of Westenergie: from Twist in Lower Saxony in the north to Hermeskeil in Rhineland-Palatinate in the south, from Alsdorf in North Rhine-Westphalia in the west to Beverungen in the Weserbergland in the east. Further information and an overview of all locations can be found at www.westenergie.de/buecherschraenke
In addition to energy supply, Westenergie is traditionally involved in the areas of sports, culture, social affairs, climate protection and education in its partner municipalities. Through sponsorships and partnerships, the company supports both small initiatives and large clubs in order to shape the future together with local people, also on a social level. More than 10,000 voluntary projects have already been implemented through the “Westenergie aktiv vor Ort” employee initiative alone.
Wasserliesch - market place
Literature to go - bookcase invites you to swap and browse - Reading material around the clock for literature lovers
Literature lovers don't just throw good books away - instead, they can also be shared by several bookworms. The citizens of Wasserliesch now also have this opportunity. The new exchange for books that have already been read is on the market square in Wasserliesch.
"As a partner of the municipality of Wasserliesch, we not only take care of the energy supply, but also get involved in social and cultural areas. We're happy when the bookcase quickly develops into a meeting point for exchanging literature," explains Michael Arens, head of the Trier region at Westenergie. "The bookcase from Westenergie is a great offer with which we can revitalize the public space in our community and support the culture of sharing," emphasized Mayor Thomas Thelen.
The system is very simple: someone puts the books they have already read in the cupboard, others take them out. The library is open around the clock, is made of weatherproof CorTen steel and, with its slim shape, blends easily into the public space. The doors close automatically so that the books are always protected from the rain. The lower compartment is intended for children's books, so that the little ones can easily reach the books. Volunteer godparents keep an eye on the bookcases, regularly check that everything is in order and sort crime fiction, novels, non-fiction and children's literature appropriately.
As volunteer book sponsors, Nicole Stolze and Brigitte Thiel are involved in the new bookcase in Wasserliesch. The new bookcase is initially equipped, so that the bookworms from Wasserliesch can draw on plenty right from the start of the swap meet.
The now more than 250 bookcases are spread across the entire core area of Westenergie: from Twist in Lower Saxony in the north to Hermeskeil in Rhineland-Palatinate in the south, from Alsdorf in North Rhine-Westphalia in the west to Beverungen in the Weserbergland in the east. Further information and an overview of all locations can be found at www.westenergie.de/buecherschraenke
In addition to energy supply, Westenergie is traditionally involved in the areas of sports, culture, social affairs, climate protection and education in its partner municipalities. Through sponsorships and partnerships, the company supports both small initiatives and large clubs in order to shape the future together with local people, also on a social level. More than 10,000 voluntary projects have already been implemented through the “Westenergie aktiv vor Ort” employee initiative alone.