The parish councils across the land have converted phone boxes to many other uses including art galleries, tea rooms and florists, one of the most popular reuses is as a book exchange.
The phone boxes used are exclusively of the iconic K6 design.
The vast majority have been created purely because of the opportunity presented by the Adopt a Kiosk scheme, although a few have come about partly due to the reduction of local mobile library provision due to council spending cuts.
There has been disagreements amongst some quarters of the internet about to what degree these phone boxes are 'libraries' and whether they can or should be called this. Against the backdrop of library funding cuts in the UK this can be an emotive topic, professional librarians are losing their jobs, and some may be frustrated that their position is being usurped.
The earliest was established in late 2009, and the vast majority in 2011.
The area with the most seems to be Somerset where fourteen have been founded, although Cambridgeshire is doing well with eight. There are two phone box libraries in Wales (Paen-y-Coed and Brynberian), and one known of in Scotland (Kinnesswood). There is one in America, in Clinton, New York, where a K8 unit has been used to create a Book Booth along similar lines.
View Phone box libraries in a larger map
Below is a list of one hundred phone boxes that have been found across the UK, there may be many more. Not all of these have photos, nor have I visited more than a small fraction of them.
1. Westbury-Sub-Mendip, SomersetBook Exchange
Earliest date found: 01/12/2009
Books, shelves: 200 books, 4 shelves, kids box
Nearest public library: Wells Library, 4 miles away
Links: Daily Mail, BBC, This is Somerset, Guardian
2. St Margaret South Elmham, SuffolkSwap Box
Earliest date found: 23/07/2011
Books, shelves: 3 shelves
Nearest public library: Bungay Library, 5.1 miles away, under threat of closure in January 2011
Link: Eastern Daily Press, The Mirror
3. Marton Cum Grafton, North Yorkshire Tiny Library
Earliest date found: 23/09/2010
Books, shelves: 40 books, 5 shelves, box for kids
Nearest public library: Boroughbridge Library, 2.7 miles away
Links: BBC, Yorkshire Press
4. Apethorpe, CambridgeshireLibrary
Earliest date found: 08/03/2011
Books, shelves: N/A (still being set up)
Nearest public library: Oundle Library, 6.1 miles away
Links: Apethorpe News (last status update in March 2011)
5. Point, CornwallBook Swap
Earliest date found: 10/03/2011
Books, shelves: 150 books, 5 shelves (only 4 usable)
Nearest public library: Truro Library, 5.3 miles away, fortnightly mobile library
Links: BBC, In the K(er)now
Library
Earliest date found: 17/04/2011
Books, shelves: 4 connected shelves (concealed in roof of phone box)
Nearest public library: Horsley Library, 2.1 miles away
Links: This is Surrey Today, BBC
Library
Earliest date found: 19/07/2011
Books, shelves: 150 books, 4 shelves, box for kids
Nearest public library: Great Shelford Library, 0.8 miles away
Links: Little Shelford, Cambridge News
8. Thruxton, HampshireLibrary
Earliest date found: 10/06/2011
Books, shelves: 100 books, 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Andover Library, 5.3 miles away
Links: This is Hampshire, People
9. Feock, CornwallBook Swap
Earliest date found: 10/03/2011
Books, shelves: 71 books, 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Truro Library, 5.3 miles away
Links: In the K(er)now, Facebook
10. Staplehay, SomersetBook Exchange
Earliest date found: 15/04/2011
Books, shelves: 150 books, 4 shelves, box for kids
Nearest public library: Taunton Library, 2.2 miles away (reduced hours due to funding cuts)
Links: This is the West Country, Somerset County Gazette
11. Hatton, CheshireBook exchange
Earliest date found: 10/12/2011
Books, shelves: 220 books, 8 shelves
Nearest public library: Stockton Heath Library, 3.7 miles away
Links: Warrington Guardian, Warrington Worldwide
Library
Earliest date found: 14/04/2011
Books, shelves: N/A
Nearest public library: Wells Library, 2.1 miles away
Links: High Beam Research, This is Somerset
Notes: was robbed of all books in April 2012
13. Cotebrook, Cheshire Book Box
Earliest date found: 13/01/2011
Books, shelves: 60 books, 5 shelves
Nearest public library: Tarporley Library, 2.7 miles away
Links: Chester Chronicle, Northwich Guardian
Library
Earliest date found: 30/07/2010
Books, shelves: 6 shelves
Nearest public library: Congresbury Library, 6.1 miles away (was under threat of closure in 2009, now run by volunteers)
Links: BBC Bristol
Library
Earliest date found: 14/04/2011
Books, shelves:5 shelves
Nearest public library: Wells Library, 2.6 miles away
Links: Wells People
16. Tollerton, Nottinghamshire
Library
Earliest date found: 28/02/2011
Books, shelves: 50 books
Nearest public library: Keyworth Library, 2.7 miles away
Links: This is Nottingham
17. Timsbury, SomersetLibrary
Earliest date found: 01/05/2011
Books, shelves: 3 shelves
Nearest public library: Radstock Library, 3.8 miles away
Links: Timsbury
18. Shirley, DerbyshireLibrary
Earliest date found: 01/06/2011
Books, shelves: 250 books, 10 shelves
Nearest public library: Ashbourne Library, 4.8 miles away
Links: Ashbourne News Telegraph, BBC, This is Derbyshire
19. Cowlinge, Suffolk
Library
Earliest date found: 09/02/2011
Books, shelves: 5 shelves
Nearest public library: Newmarket Library, 8.8 miles away
Links: The Three Tuns Pub
Book Exchange
Earliest date found: 18/03/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Calverton Library, 1.7 miles away
Links: Dumbles, This is Nottingham
21. Box, GloucestershireLending Library
Earliest date found: 31/08/2011
Books, shelves: 3 shelves
Nearest public library: Nailsworth Library, 1.1 miles away
Links: BBC, This is Gloucestershire, Box Village
Library
Earliest date found: 04/09/2011
Books, shelves: 200+ books, 6 shelves
Nearest public library: Cwmbran Library, 3.8 miles away
Links: South Wales Argus, Bike Brothers
23. Haybridge, Somerset Library
Earliest date found: 12/09/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Wells Library, 1.3 miles away
Links: xrisglmv14
24. Arkesden, Essex
Library
Earliest date found: 28/09/2011
Books, shelves:
Nearest public library: Stansted Library, 5.6 miles away
Link: Saffron Walden Weekly News
Library
Earliest date found: 09/09/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves, 100 books
Nearest public library: Stansted Library, 3.9 miles away
Link: Saffron Walden Weekly News
26. Polsham, Somerset
Library
Earliest date found: 12/09/2011
Books, shelves: N/A
Nearest public library: Wells Library, 3 miles away
Link: Wells Journal
27. Brynberian, Pembrokeshire
Swop Library
Earliest date found: 09/10/2011
Books, shelves: 80 books, 5 shelves
Nearest public library: Newport Library, 5.1 miles away
Links: Tourist Vs Traveller
28. Chedworth, GloucestershireBook Exchange
Earliest date found: 17/12/2010
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Cirencester Library, 8.1 miles away
Links: Ranger Stuff , Small World News Service, Flickr
29. Belbroughton, WorcestershireBook Exchange
Earliest date found: 09/04/2011
Books, shelves: 8 shelves
Nearest public library: Hagley Library, 3.5 miles away
Links: Rambling Rose, Flickr
Book Exchange
Earliest date found:20/03/2010
Books, shelves: 4 shelves, box for kids
Nearest public library: Wootton Bassett Library, 5.1 miles away
Links: Swindon Advertiser
31. Kinnesswood, Perth and KinrossReading Room
Earliest date found: 15/01/2010
Books, shelves: 12 shelves
Nearest public library: Lochore Library, 4.1 miles away
Links: Flickr
32. Cargreen, CornwallBook Exchange
Earliest date found: 18/08/2011
Books, shelves: 7 shelves
Nearest public library: Saltash Library, 4.2 miles away
Links: Flickr
Book Exchange
Earliest date found: 22/10/2010
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Barby Library, 8.2 miles away
Links: BBC, flickr
34. Stanton Wick, Somerset
Book swap
Earliest date found: 24/08/2010
Books, shelves: 1 shelf
Nearest public library: Stockwood Library, 5.8 miles away
Link: Flickr
35. West and East Horrington, Somerset
Library
Earliest date found: 14/04/2011
Books, shelves: N/A
Nearest public library: Wells Library, 2.5 miles away
Link: Wells Journal
36. Burton Flemming, YorkshireLibrary
Earliest date found: 24/09/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Hunmanby Library, 4 miles away
Link: Small Motorhome Forum
37. Hadham Ford / Little Hadden, HertfordshireBook Exchange
Earliest date found: 22/01/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Bishops Stortford Library, 3.5 miles away
Links: Flickr, Flickr
38. Little Rissington, Gloucestershire
Book Exchange
Earliest date found: 31/05/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Bourton-On-The-Water Library, 1.8 miles away
Links: Flickr, Little Rissington
Book Exchange
Earliest date found: 31/12/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Duffield Library 2.2 miles away
Link: BBC
Notes: Is kept locked at night
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Kiveton Park Community Library 2.9 miles away
Link: Christine Hall on Flickr
Notes: was robbed of all books in March 2012
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Lowdham Library 1.7 miles away
Link: Walking Britain
Book Exchange
Date found: 22/09/2011
Nearest public library: Newmarket Library 4.2 miles away
Link: Newmarket Journal
43. Hutton Magna, Durham
New Box
Date found: 25/08/2009
Nearest public library: Darlington Library 12.8 miles away
Link: Teesdale Mercury
Nearest public library: Uttoexeter Library 5.6 miles away
Link: Marston Montgomery Community Website
Community Kiosk
Nearest public library: Lyndhurst Library 1 mile away
Links: Emery Down Phonebox, BBC News website
Nearest public library: Stamford Library 5.8 miles away
Link: Geograph
Library
Date Found: 15/04/2012
Shelves, Books: 4 shelves
Nearest public library: Berkley Library 2.9 miles away
Link: GWilliams851 on Flickr
48. Limpley Stoke, Wiltshire
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Bath Central Library 4.8 miles away
Link: Freshford & Limpley Stoke Community Association
49. Goxhill, Lincolnshire
Book Box
Nearest public library: Barton Upon Humber Library 4.9 miles away
Link: BBC News website
50. Penycae, Wrexham
Nearest public library: Ystradgynlais Library 5.7 miles away
Link: The Leader
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Harleston Library 4.9 miles away
Link: Richie Wisbey Collection on Flickr
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Bar Hill Library 3.8 miles away
Link: ETDM on Flickr
Book Exchange
Date Found: 05/02/2012
Shelves, Books: 10 shelves, 180 books
Nearest public library: Thurston Library 4.2 miles away
Link: Eddie Olliffe
Swap Shop
Date Found: 19/02/2012
Nearest public library: Seaton Library 1.7 miles away
Link: Devon24 , Isisbridge on Flickr
Nearest public library: Romsey Library 9.1 miles away
Link: ailsatruckle on Flickr
Book Box
Date Found: August 2011
Nearest public library: Lavenham Library 2.6 miles away
Link: The Original SimonB
Nearest public library: Edenbridge Library 4.2 miles away
Link: Trevor Dale on Flickr
Library
Shelves, books: 7 shelves
Nearest public library: Evesham Library 8 miles away
Link: Miss Minion on Flickr
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Potton Library 5.4 miles away
Link: Simon Webster on Flickr
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Torrington Library 9.4 miles away
Link: This is Devon
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Lutterworth Library 2 miles away
Link: I am into this
Book Exchange
Nearest public library: Easingwold Library 8.1 miles away
Link: A Life More Ordinary
Nearest public library: Cambridge University 2.7 miles away
Link: Kirsty on Flickr
Library
Earliest date found: 2011
Books, shelves: 3 shelves
Nearest public library: Northwich Library 3.6 miles away
Links: Sicrit on Flickr
Swap Box
Date first found: 03/03/2012
Books, shelves: 5 shelves
Nearest public library: St. Ives Library 3 miles away
Links: The Tanjara
Library
Date first found: January 2012
Books, shelves: 3 shelves, 70 books
Nearest public library: Andover Library, 7 miles away
Link: John Spooner on Flickr
Book Swap
Date first found: 12/08/2011
Books, shelves: 4 shelves, 100 books
Nearest public library: Greenstead Library, 7.2 miles away
Links: Flickr, EADT24
Exchange
Date first found: 11/04/2012
Books, shelves: 5 shelves
Nearest public library: Wye Library, 5 miles away
Link: Kent Online
Book Swap Shop
Date first found: 22/04/2012
Books, shelves: 5 shelves, 100 books
Nearest public library: Manningtree Library, 5 miles away
Link: Harwich and Manningtree Standard
Library
Earliest date found: 26/04/2012
Books, shelves: 7 shelves 120 books
Nearest public library: Coggeshall, 2.5 miles away
Link: This is Total Essex, Trevor Powell on Flickr
Library
Earliest date found: July 2011
Books, shelves: 5 shelves
Nearest public library: Trowbridge Library 4.5 miles away
Link: Flickr, GeoCaching
Library
Earliest date found: 02/01/2012
Books, shelves: 3 shelves
Nearest public library: Andover Library 5.9 miles away
Link: The Art of Letting Go
Library
Earliest date found: 18/03/2012
Books, shelves: 4 shelves
Link: TisBiz
74. West Monkton, Somerset
Book Swap
Earliest Date Found 11/05/2011
Nearest public library: Priorswood Library 2.8 miles away
Link: West Monkton
Library
Link: Flickr
Book Exchange
Link: Flickr
Book Exchange
Link: Simon McCheung on Flickr
Book Exchange
Link: BBC News website
Library
Earliest Date Found: March 2012
Nearest public library: Thaxted Library 3.6 miles away
Link: Flickr, Parish Council Minutes
Freecycle Centre
Earliest Date Found: 11/02/2012
Link: HuttonsAmbo
81. East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
Book Exchange
Link: Newark Advertiser
Books in the Box
Link: Leamington Courier
83. Burton Overy, Leicestershire
Swap Shop
Link: Lutterworth Mail
84. Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire
Book Exchange
Link: Long Wittenham
Book Exchange
Shelves, books: 6 shelves
Link: Somerset County Gazette
86. Flitton, Bedfordshire
Book Exchange
Link: Flitton and Greenfield Parish Council
Notes: "If the shelves are full, please do not leave books on the floor"
Book Exchange
Link: Ingham Parish Council
Book and Magazine Exchange
Link: Llangrove Links
89. Brattleby, Lincolnshire
Link: Brattleby Parish Council
90. Lea, Wiltshire
Book Exchange
Link: North Wilts Community Web
91. Tockington, Gloucestershire
Link: Olveston Parish Council
92. Trudoxhill, Somerset
Link: Trudoxhill Parish Council
93. Rushton, Northamptonshire
Link: Chester Chronicle
Book Exchange
Link: The 2 R's
Book Swap
Link: South Kilworth
96. Cotleigh, Devon
Book Exchange
Link: Cotleigh Parish Council
97. Carlingcott, North East Somerset
Book Exchange
Link: Peasedown St. John Parish Council
98. Burnett, North East Somerset
Link: Compton Dando Parish Council
99. Charlton Musgrove, Somerset
Link: Charlton Musgrove
100. Upper Clatford, Hampshire
Book Exchange
Link: Parish Council Minutes (PDF)
Thrilling stuff, I'm sure you'll agree, but is it just a fad that'll fizzle out in a few months, rather then the years and decades that public libraries have lasted for?
Its too early to tell, but since the first telephone box book exchange opened in Westbury in 2009, there has been a steady increase each year.
2010 - 12 new phoneboxes
2011 - 58 new phoneboxes
2012 - 32 new phone boxes in the first six months
It will take a bit of time and a lot of petrol and mileage to check whether the earlier ones are still going, but I shall investigate further
No. 84 isn't mentioned on the village website, it's now got a defib. machine in it rather than books I think?
ReplyDeleteI love this though, books in telephone boxes are great. I'm into bookcrossing.com and love book exchanges etc. This is such an inventive use of redundant places.
I think I saw a photo on Flickr of the Long Wittenham phone box with books as well as the defib machine, I could be mistaken, will have to check myself.
ReplyDeleteOh great, let me know if it's got both please!
ReplyDeleteThere is also one in Heddington, Wiltshire.
ReplyDeleteThere is one in Sapperton, South Lincolnshire
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHiya, just to let you know there are several new telephone box libraries now in two areas I frequent. North Somerset (Yatton, Weston in Gordano & Clapton in Gordano)
ReplyDeletein the New Forest (Marchwood, & Bramshaw). So 5 newish ones in total
Got a first edition (paperback) of the Hobbit out of the Bramshaw one
DeleteThere is one in Sunningdale (near Ascot), Berkshire now.
ReplyDeleteI can think of a few more. Heddington in Wiltshire, Roundway (near Devizes) in Wiltshire, All Cannings in Wiltshire, Rudge in Somerset & Standerwick in Somerset
ReplyDeleteFoxton in Cambridgeshire has one as does Harston.
ReplyDeleteThere is one in Shipton Moyne, Suffolk
ReplyDeleteGreat list! There is a new one in Boughton Village, Northampton (very good lots and lots of books although also leaks), and a rubbish one in Church Brampton, Northampton with a tiny pile of weather worn books plus a defib
ReplyDeleteTamlaght O'Crilly, Northern Ireland. Recycling centre, library and community information hub
ReplyDeleteThere's one in Sewards End, Essex, that I use regularly.
ReplyDeleteWe visited three today, all in the Clacton/Harwich area of Essex (Wix, Little Bentley, Tendring) but my wife and I are sure there is a fourth one somewhere near, which was padlocked shut during lockdown; any suggestions, anyone, please?
ReplyDeleteOne in Walton, Staffs on the main road between Stafford and Milford. Wall off the A5 has one too and I have heard of one in Yoxall. There is also one near Looe, Cornwall at Nomansland and Gosfirthh Cumbria
ReplyDeleteThere is also a good phone box library in the village of Monyash Derbyshire
ReplyDeleteThruxton is empty - emptied because of COVID
ReplyDeleteYes the one in Eastington, Gloucestershire was emptied due to covid too, just when we really needed something to read and paper doesn’t transmit the virus apparently. Anyway whatever the excuse, it was a shame. Others are open still like the one at Berkeley Gloucestershire close to the deer park and the one at Halmore.
Delete77. Netherthorpe, Derbyshire
ReplyDeleteBook Exchange
Cant find this box ??
In West Berks there's one in Streatley, Lower Basildon and Upper Basildon.
ReplyDeleteThere are also more in Ashampstead (Berks) , Mildenhall (Wiltshire), and Crays Pond, Whitchurch Village and Whitchurch Hill (Oxon).
ReplyDeleteOne in East Hanney, Oxfordshire
ReplyDeleteGood one outside Roath Court funeral home in Albany Road Cardiff
ReplyDeleteAnother near the crofts pub in crofts Street in Cardiff
ReplyDeleteAnother one in Ockbrook, Derbyshire
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere's a Facebook page called Phonebox Libraries UK where people can post photos and locations too.
ReplyDeleteThere is a new Facebook group.. Telephone box Libraries
ReplyDeleteif its the group I am thinking, there is some nice pics in there.......
Deletethere are book exchange phone boxes at Santon Downham, Suffolk and Honington, Suffolk and Culford, Suffolk, Barnham, Suffolk, Holywell Row, Suffolk and two in Lakenheath, Suffolk. Can you please add them to your list.
ReplyDeleteColton, Rugeley, Staffs
ReplyDeleteAlso, Brocton, Staffs. Hixon, Staffs, Charley by Stowe, Staffs. Tixall, Staffs
ReplyDeleteBradfield, Essex has one.
ReplyDelete(Nearest public library would be manningtree, essex)
New box not listed anywhere else I have seen:
ReplyDeleteAustrey
Burnett Road Sutton Coldfield