Participation in reading books by the whole people
Germans love to read. Even in the era when modern media such as TV and the Internet are very developed, they still maintain the tradition of loving reading, and the services provided by the society make it very convenient for them to read. Statistics show that 70% of Germans like to read, more than 50% of them buy books on a regular basis, and 1/3 of them read books almost every day. Among them, young people under the age of 30 are the most enthusiastic about reading.
In Germany, buying books is easy. Bookstores are easy to find in urban and rural areas. With a population of more than 82 million, Germany has more than 5,000 bookstores. In addition to bookstores, some general supermarkets and gas stations also sell books. In some large warehouse supermarkets, the latest bestsellers, sale books and newspapers are always placed in the most prominent position on the shelf.
No matter in subway trains, park lawns, or even in the waiting room of a hospital, you can always see people reading with books in hand. Especially when taking the subway, more than 80% of the passengers read newspapers in hand. Many people like to read a simple "Berlin Zeitung", intellectual readers often hold the somewhat right-wing "Frankfurt", and a large part of the common people like to read the sensational, graphic and recreational newspaper. Many people are still reading books in the subway car, and some even take a tome and read it after sitting for one or two stops. Books have become the most common item in German homes. The average family has a special study room or a whole row of bookshelves in the living room, which are stuffed with books of all sizes from top to bottom.
There are more than 14,000 libraries in Germany, with different sizes and distinctive features, with a collection of 129 million volumes. On average, there is one public library for every 6,600 people in Germany, which basically meets the national demand for books. It is particularly worth mentioning that it has become the consensus of the German library industry to mobilize the whole people to participate in reading books and to mobilize the whole people to participate in the updating and protection of books. All kinds of libraries, big and small, will regularly clean up their collections, put books that are in stock but not very mobile at the door, and distribute them free of charge.
Public bookshelves bloom everywhere
On the streets of Germany, public bookshelves can be found everywhere. Local residents and foreign tourists can take the books on the shelf to read at will, no payment, no registration, no deadline, no limit to the number of books. At the same time, people will consciously contribute books, leaving their own books on the shelf for others to choose. Each bookshelf can hold about 200 books, which are updated every six weeks. There are all kinds of books including novels and reference books. These public bookshelves are usually funded by endowment funds and maintained by local volunteer organizations.
The first public bookshelf in Frankfurt is located in the northern district. The bookshelves are made of iron and have 4 floors with glass doors. Currently, the shelves are filled with various books. Some citizens put the books they don't want on the shelf for the sake of others. Some take a book to read on the subway before going to work in the morning and put it back on the shelf at night. Some take the book home to read slowly, and even keep it on their bookshelf if they think it has a collection value. Next to the public bookshelf, there is also an orange chair for the convenience of reading fans.
There are 4 public bookshelves in Cologne, which are exquisitely designed and durable, each costing 5,000 euros. They are made of steel and fitted with acrylic glass to withstand rain and sun. "Regardless of the age of the reader, regardless of the level of education, the public bookshelf is open to all people, providing services for any citizen who loves to read." Abuman, the organizer of the public bookshelf event, pointed out, "In terms of form, this is a public bookshelf. The extension of the library. But fundamentally speaking, this is truly a public library, which has played a role in increasing the frequency of book circulation, satisfying people's thirst for knowledge, and truly forming a national reading ethos."
Many commercial bookstores And online booksellers also support this free form of book exchange and actively participate. What is even more gratifying is that these bookshelves are rarely damaged, which shows the quality and quality of German civilization. At present, most public bookshelves in Germany are located in high-end communities. The organizers plan to introduce public bookshelves into poor communities next, so that people there can enjoy the same reading opportunities.
"Forest Book" is eye-catching
On Berlin's tree-lined Prenzlauer Bergstrasse, the striking "Forest Books" sits in front of a quaint dessert café, making up a special scene. It bolts together several tree trunks of different heights, simulating a cluster of trees in a forest. Then three or four rectangular frames are carved into each trunk that still retains the rough bark and texture to serve as miniature "bookcases", and the openings are hung with protective plastic baffles, so that the miniature books on the trunks The pavilion is completed.
According to the original plan, the activities of the "Forest Book" project began on November 1, 2006 and ended on June 30, 2008. However, due to the popularity of the readers, it has continued to this day. Volunteers who participated in the "Forest Book" activity came from all walks of life and enthusiastically served the citizens.
The "Forest Books" project is part of the activities of the Berlin Book Exchange and Rafting Club. Local residents and out-of-town tourists are welcome to put their favorite books in a tree trunk "bookcase" to share with others; or gently lift the plastic baffle , and take out your favorite book to read. Every day, there is an endless stream of readers who go to "Forest Books", men and women, young and old, all busy exchanging their old books for "new" books.
The trunk "bookcase" can hold up to 100 books at a time, including popular novels, history books, popular science books and children's books and other books, both in German and English. If you are lucky, you may also be lucky enough to find in-demand books that are not found in the big library. As books are constantly being lent and added, books are circulated very fast every day, and the usage rate is extremely high.
In order to further improve the reading ability and cultural level of citizens, the Berlin Book Exchange and Drift Club actively creates conditions and establishes a reliable book supply chain. "Forest Books" is one of them. It has been supported and cared for by all walks of life, and is playing an increasingly important role, becoming a miniature library that people talk about.
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