Read for free in Cologne: 33 book cupboards for all districts!

Read for free in Cologne: 33 book cupboards for all districts!

In Cologne, there are now 33 book cupboards available that offer the opportunity to rent books free of charge and thus promote a sustainable reading culture. As ksta.de , these cupboards are set up in numerous districts and are accessible around the clock. Citizens can hand over their already read books and take new books with them in return, creating a lively exchange. This initiative not only promotes the reading of the reading, but also contributes to the formation of a sustainable book circuit.

The book cupboards are part of the "Eselohr" project, which was launched by the Bürgerstiftung Köln . The aim of this project is to facilitate book exchange and increase the joy of reading. Local district initiatives, citizens' associations, schools and private individuals are committed to sponsoring the book cupboards and thus supporting reading promotion in the respective Veedeln.

The locations of the book cupboards

The book cupboards are placed in various, easily accessible places in Cologne. The locations include:

• Altstadt-Süd: Rheinauhafen, next to Bayenturm
• Ehrenfeld: Josef-Esser-Platz
• Holweide: Holweider Marktplatz
• Lindenthal: Karl-Schwering-Platz
• Mülheim: Bookcase in the Bürgerpark
• Nippes: Leipziger Platz
• Porz: City Center
• Rodenkirchen: Höninger Platz
• Widdersdorf: Hauptstraße 44-50

The full list of locations comprises more than fifty places in the city. The cupboards are not only weatherproof, but it is also important that citizens only hire high -quality books. The community foundation recommends not giving any tattered or contaminated books in the closets.

reading promotion and their importance

In the context of reading promotion, the role of public libraries is also crucial. According to Oebib.de , the promotion of reading competence is one of the core tasks of these facilities. The 2024 reading monitor shows that a significant part of the children in Germany is rarely or never read out, which endangers reading skills. Public libraries therefore offer a variety of programs that aim to support the youngest readers in particular.

By providing age -appropriate books, reading training and picture book cinemas, the libraries help to strengthen the reading culture and to facilitate access to books. Families with financial restrictions in particular benefit from this offer that enables them to discover the joy of reading.

The new bookcases in Cologne are therefore not only a place of book exchange, but also an important step towards a lively reading culture, which is supported by local initiatives and public institutions such as libraries. If you are interested, you can find out more at the community foundation how to implement a project to set up a bookcase in your neighborhood.

Interested citizens can also send their questions or ideas on the subject of book cupboards directly by email to ksta-community@kstmedien.de.