Little ‘bird table’ libraries trust passers-by in East Village to return books

Pop-up libraries not much bigger than bird tables have appeared in east London where passers-by are trusted to borrow books and return them.

'Bird table' library making a good read - Credit: Little Free Library project

Two “little libraries”, designed by local artists, have been put up at East Village, the former 2012 Olympic Athletes village, where you can just open the small door for free reading material.

They are part of the Little Free Library project, a charitable organization promoting reading, art and community engagement.

Project director Nick Cheshire said: “We hope these little libraries will become community meeting places where people can share books, conversations and get to know one another.”

Anyone can take a book at their leisure, return one or even donate as many as they wish.

The libraries are the latest in a series of art ventures following the installation of local art in the foyers of East Village residential buildings.

Two east London artists were asked by the charity project to design the little libraries, illustrator Evelyn Rowland and jewellery designer Bianca Loh, because of “their passion for the area”.