As economic pressures have threatened public libraries with closure from lack of funds, the rise of mobile telecoms has rendered public phone boxes effectively redundant. Making the best of two seemingly unrelated developments, the UK-based PhoneBoox has converted a leftover phone box into an informal book exchange for the community.
The brainchild of British media consultant James Econs, the PhoneBoox in Horsley, Surrey, developed over the course of a single weekend afternoon. After being inspired with the idea, Econs cut and painted wood shelves, then installed them in the phone box. Books were scrounged and placed on the shelves, and a message to visitors was inscribed: “You are welcome to take me... but please make sure to replace me!! enjoy.” The PhoneBoox has been a hit ever since it was installed, Econs writes, and a fresh supply of books continues to flow.
Econs explains: “I guess the point is you don't have to 'be' anything to make things happen. I'm not a designer, I'm not a bookworm and I'm not a carpenter. I just had an idea, and without really caring whether it would be 'a success' - more just wanting to see what would happen - I got on with it. ... That is exactly what I like so much about it; Socially Beneficial Creative Vandalism. Manifestation to deployment in one lazy Saturday afternoon.”
The PhoneBoox book exchange from James Econs on Vimeo.Indeed, much like the repurposing of old candy machines to sell seed bombs for guerrilla gardening or using retired cigarette vending machines to sell art, the PhoneBoox proves once again that grassroots innovation really can conquer all. Be inspired!
MESSAGE FROM THE PHONE BOOX'S CREATOR
I am no designer - far from it in fact. I am not even a book worm. The term 'book-worm' actually couldn't be further from the truth. I read about the art of organisation and how to free employees minds enough to get their best work out of them.
In my local village there sits a lonely classic old red Phonebox. With the age of mobile phones in full swing, you can imagine it is seldom used - except maybe as a game for groups of kids to come and smash the windows in one a month. Perfectly located at the end of a quite-ish high street with the bonus of two benches next to it, the local newsagents opposite and a park just down the road, it actually makes for a good place for all ages to hang out... and they do often.
With the recent threat of library closures in the UK, what better way to restore these icons of England's past with a rejuvenating revamp? With nothing planned on a Saturday, the idea came at about 10am. Past experience told me that projects like these can be forgotten in a flash if action isn't immediately taken so, with lessons learned I set to work. By 11am, I had location and interior photos along with some basic measurements. 12pm came, and I had set-up a workbench in the garden with makeshift shelves already cut. 1pm; the shelves had been painted and while waiting for them to dry I had the idea of making some book-ends out of the left-over ply. 2pm saw me scrounging around for books that were ultimately waiting for a new home or headed for the charity shop.
Back at the Phonebox - kids watching closely - I got on with its installation and finished off by writing a message to encourage good use; and put a poster up on the local notice board.
I guess the point is you don't have to 'be' anything to make things happen. I'm not a designer, I'm not a bookworm and I'm not a carpenter. I just had an idea, and without really caring whether it would be 'a success' - more just wanting to see what would happen - I got on with it.
Its been a hit with friends bringing comments like "the Banksy of the carpentry world!" and offers of fresh books are still rolling in. That is exactly what I like so much about it; Socially Beneficial Creative Vandalism. Manifestation to deployment in one lazy Saturday afternoon.
Introducing 'The PhoneBoox'
(The PhoneBoox book exchange is located in Horsley, Surrey, UK and is open to all...)
In my local village there sits a lonely classic old red Phonebox. With the age of mobile phones in full swing, you can imagine it is seldom used - except maybe as a game for groups of kids to come and smash the windows in one a month. Perfectly located at the end of a quite-ish high street with the bonus of two benches next to it, the local newsagents opposite and a park just down the road, it actually makes for a good place for all ages to hang out... and they do often.
With the recent threat of library closures in the UK, what better way to restore these icons of England's past with a rejuvenating revamp? With nothing planned on a Saturday, the idea came at about 10am. Past experience told me that projects like these can be forgotten in a flash if action isn't immediately taken so, with lessons learned I set to work. By 11am, I had location and interior photos along with some basic measurements. 12pm came, and I had set-up a workbench in the garden with makeshift shelves already cut. 1pm; the shelves had been painted and while waiting for them to dry I had the idea of making some book-ends out of the left-over ply. 2pm saw me scrounging around for books that were ultimately waiting for a new home or headed for the charity shop.
Back at the Phonebox - kids watching closely - I got on with its installation and finished off by writing a message to encourage good use; and put a poster up on the local notice board.
I guess the point is you don't have to 'be' anything to make things happen. I'm not a designer, I'm not a bookworm and I'm not a carpenter. I just had an idea, and without really caring whether it would be 'a success' - more just wanting to see what would happen - I got on with it.
Its been a hit with friends bringing comments like "the Banksy of the carpentry world!" and offers of fresh books are still rolling in. That is exactly what I like so much about it; Socially Beneficial Creative Vandalism. Manifestation to deployment in one lazy Saturday afternoon.
Introducing 'The PhoneBoox'
(The PhoneBoox book exchange is located in Horsley, Surrey, UK and is open to all...)
Website: vimeo.com/21754886
Contact: james@jamesecons.com
What a cool idea, Marcela! I was wondering if that would work in Rio... how could it work here? In a city where people break the phones, burn the phone boxes... sad to say that, but you do agree with me, don't you? Anyway, I loved to know about that idea! Thanks!
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