A page turns for London’s underground book swaps

The free mini-libraries are closed – but for how long?

For years, Londoners and people in the know had a trick for passing the time on the tube: swapping books at some station libraries. The idea was simple: you could pick up and drop off books when travelling, enjoying a friendly book swap on the go. Sadly, the book swaps at Clapham North, Lewisham, and Oval have now closed. 

Signs at these stations say, "Due to Fire Safety Regulations from the London Fire Brigade, all Book Exchange Libraries on ALL London Underground Stations are CLOSED with immediate effect. We are SAD to see this go. Thank you for your support over the years."

A spokesperson for the transport company TfL explained to Time Out magazine that they work closely with the Fire Brigade to ensure safety and had to advise staff to remove book swaps.

 Combustible reading on London's Tube

Memories of the tragic fire at Kings Cross station of 1987 are still in peoples’ minds. So combustible material such as books qualify as a risk – even if it’s not a very big one. TfL have said that they hope to bring book swaps back if safety regulations can be met and will work with local communities to redistribute books.

Underground stations have stricter fire safety regulations than above-ground ones. So, keep your fingers crossed, because these book swaps might yet make a comeback!

(Michael Leahy. Source: Time Out. Photo