A NEW initiative at Sunderland seafront has proved to be a real page turner – giving people the opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of reading.
Sunderland’s Seafront Volunteer Group and Sunderland Seafront BID have launched Little Libraries, four unique book cases at key points on the coast where people can borrow, exchange or replace a book.
The aim is to get visitors to enjoy reading by the sea by choosing one of the offerings in the libraries, while at the same time giving a new home to books which might otherwise just be gathering dust at home.
The Little Libraries have been set up at The Seaburn Inn, The Tram Shelter, Adventure Sunderland and at the Marina and are already proving a huge hit.
“People are really embracing the Little Libraries and finding them an incredibly useful way to take the opportunity to read against the backdrop of Sunderland’s magnificent coastline,” said Roberta Redecke, Head of Business Services at Sunderland BID.
“It’s a small but really effective way to make a visit to the seafront even more enjoyable and something everyone can take part in.”
The launch of this project aligns with 2026 being the National Year of Reading, a national campaign encouraging more people to discover the benefits and enjoyment of reading for pleasure.
It has been supported by the National Literacy Trust, with each library a unique work of art, thanks to the skills of Su Devine from Art Café, Sunderland who has painted them.
Plans are also underway for a special celebration event on 3 October, where visitors will be asked to take part in Look For the Book, with books hidden at locations between the Little Libraries at Roker and Seaburn, ready for visitors to find and enjoy.
The hope is the event will also encourage people to explore the coastline – and go home with another story to read.
“This is just such an exciting project which everyone can be involved with,” said Roberta.
“We look forward to more people taking advantage of the Little Libraries and enjoying the joy that books bring.”
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