This story is about how I found a street library in Berlin. Living in Germany, I often admire how people here care about community and culture. One day, walking down a cozy street, I saw a small house with books. It was a street library, or as it is called here Bücherschrank. She stood in the middle of the district, like a small island of knowledge and inspiration.
I opened the door and saw dozens of – books inside, most of them in German, of course. If you are learning German, this is a real find! Here you can find not only fiction, but also books on various topics: cooking, history, travel. I was thrilled that this is a great way to practice language, expand vocabulary and better understand culture.
I was immediately drawn to the attention of a small book for children with vivid illustrations. It is an ideal option for learning the language: simple sentences, clear plots and many new words. That day I took this book with me, and now every evening I read it at home, writing new words.
And the street library makes it possible not only to take, but also to leave books. I had several books in English at home that I had already read. I returned the next day and left them in the library. Maybe they will be useful to someone who is learning English.
The idea of such open libraries came from the American Todd Ball in 2009. He created the first miniature library in the form of a house to honor the memory of his mother, who loved to read. People liked the idea so much that projects like this quickly started to appear around the world.
For those who live or plan to visit Germany, I highly recommend paying attention to such Bücherschränke. Not only is this a good opportunity to find interesting books, but it is also a way to practice language in a lively, relaxed format. You will not only gain new knowledge, but also feel the spirit of community that is so characteristic of Germans.
