Start with a table
In 2020 most swaps were a table or a few boxes on a driveway. Try that first and see if books move.
Read the space and who uses it
For a shared green, find out who passes through, who gathers there, and what is missing. A short form sent round the residents is one way.
Get the neighbours on board before you build
People who agreed to it first are more likely to look after it.
Talk to the council area office
Anything on public land needs their say. Ask early. Your local councillor can help you find the right person.
Find people to look after it
Tidy Towns or a residents’ group can check it, tidy it and clear out worn-out books.
Put it in and watch
Does it get used? Do books move? What would you change?
Someone always says it will be kicked over. It is small and cheap, so if it fails it fails cheaply. In the 2020 swaps the problems reported were a lost door, a leaking roof, running out of books and unwanted donations.