Despite 4,000 Books available, the giant book box of Theurthéville-Bocage is little used

For several months since they took over the building of the old town hall of the village of Teurthéville-Bocage (Manche) to turn it into a giant book box, Maryse Picot, Claire Fortin and Pierre Macqueron have not counted their hours despite the low attendance . During the October 2024 holidays, these volunteers will be on call. We open every first weekend of the month. It’s a long time to run such a book box and we are only three volunteersunderlines Maryse Picot, who talks about evolution. We have gone from 300 Books at the beginning to almost 4,000 books today for all ages. Books, toys and DVDs from private donations. What is worrying is that we only see three of the village’s 600 residents.

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Everything is free

Despite the large number of books, volunteers only welcome around fifteen people each opening weekend. Many people continue to go and get books from the small book box attached to the wall of the town hall. The volunteers ask questions. People shouldn’t think our giant book box is a library, not at all! And to continue with an essential element. We do not respond to the request for a work title. Visitors choose the book they like but it’s free. They can keep them. Volunteers who also insist that no membership is required. We found some of our books in book boxes in Brittany.

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No young readers

If the few readers who visit the book box leave with a large number of works each time they visit, this is not the case for young people who are non-existent. While we have dozens of children’s books. In order to attract them, volunteers open during the holidays. It doesn’t attract them that much. Volunteers believe that screens make reading difficult. Parents should read first so that children become interested. The fashionable phrase: I don’t have time to read! deplores Maryse Picot, who would like to make the place a place for exchanges and meetings between villagers.