WHAT could be better than coffee and a good book at a perfect venue offering you a place to meet like-minded people to swap books with for free?

That is what FAIR and the Silent Book Club is offering book lovers this Saturday, February 7. The event, which is open to the public, will be held at Love Coffee on 484 Lilian Ngoyi Road from 10:00 to 14:00. FAIR’s Cayleigh Bright said the free community book swap and silent reading event is run on a token system.

“When you arrive and hand in your books, you get a token for each book. Then, while we stamp the books you’ve handed in and get them ready for the swapping table, you are free to browse for the new reads that you’ll trade for your tokens,” said Bright.

Those without books to swap are also welcome. “If you do not have a book that you would like to swap, you can buy tokens for your book shopping instead,” said Bright.

Also Read: Great book club reads to enjoy this month

The initiative is the brainchild of FAIR, a component of Letterhead founded by Bright and her business partners. Bright, who is also a writer and author, said that FAIR exists to get more people reading and often by providing a free or cheap, accessible activity in the city.

“Books are costly, and everyone deserves to read for knowledge and pleasure, so we operate on a ‘pay what you can, when you can’ basis,” said Bright. “FAIR libraries display signage explaining donation options – leaving a book, bringing a book to donate, or donating via SnapScan, Zapper or Yoco. Remember, these are all donations: the books are free, and any member of the public is welcome to just take a book, whether or not they are able to pay for it or leave a book in its place.”

Bright added, “About 80% of the funds raised from donations go directly to buying more books to re-stock the little free libraries, either from charity bookstores or street vendors. About 20% goes towards operating costs, such as transport and printing, and special projects.”

FAIR libraries can be found at various locations across Durban, including Barn Owl Tennis Club, Bellevue Café, Mitchell Park Zoo, Spill The Tea Vintage, Hush Coffee and Love Coffee. More information is available on Instagram at @fairsocial and @silentbookclubdbnnorth.

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