Let’s bring back the book exchange.

"For over 20 years, London’s railway stations housed book exchanges—simple, community-driven shelves where anyone could take a book and leave a book. A quiet act of generosity that brought people together, encouraged reading, and made our city a little kinder.

Recently, these exchanges were removed by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) due to “safety concerns.” In one decision, an organic, long-standing community project was wiped out, leaving our public spaces emptier and our journeys less colourful.

For many, these book exchanges were more than just a place to find something to read. They were a moment of connection, a surprise discovery of a classic novel, a friendly nod from a fellow commuter picking up a book, a small but significant reminder that Londoners still care despite the hubbub.

I’ve personally found incredible books through my local exchange: everything from The Brothers Karamazov to contemporary poetry, and have passed along books in the hope they’d find a new home. Now, without these spaces, the city feels less alive.

WHAT WE'RE DOING ABOUT IT

We’re raising funds to bring back the book exchange in a way that addresses safety concerns while keeping the spirit of the project alive. We’ve found a fireproof storage cabinet ( HERE - view it here) that meets safety standards while allowing books to remain accessible to the public.

With your help, we will:

• Purchase and install the cabinet in a public location to serve as a new book exchange.

• Work with local communities to keep it stocked and maintained.

• Show that small, meaningful initiatives still matter in The Big Smoke.

This isn’t just about books. It’s about reclaiming public space for something positive that benefits everyone. If you believe in small acts of community and the power of OUR story, please contribute. Every donation, no matter the size, helps bring this project to life.

Please in your post-donation comment, cast your vote as to which station you'd like to see a book exchange cabinet at as well as any positive experiences the book exchange program gave you.

We want our books back."

-I.P