Novel way to get lockdown books
As efforts to keep our minds sharp during lockdown continue, one Stirling book shop manager has come up with a novel way for locals to ensure their reading fix.
Kayda Williams, 29, who runs the Stirling Books store in Maxwell Place, took to social media last Monday to share her idea of a free book drop off service to help those stuck in isolation secure some page turners to enjoy during the summer evenings.
The initial post was inundated with interested locals looking for books to be dropped off at their doorsteps, while others have already been in touch to offer some of their own novels to help with demand.
Kayda told the Observer: “I put up a post on Facebook with what I was thinking of doing and the interest was just way more than I was expecting.
“I just wanted to get the word out because it can really help older people who aren’t able to get out at the moment or others who are just cooped with up in their house with nothing to do.
“It’ll just be myself that’s doing it but the shop’s owner has given me the thumbs up to get some books from there and post them out to people or drop them off on their doorstep.
“I’ve been pondering the idea for the last few days but the way things are going, it looks as if it coud be a while before we are out of the lockdown measures, so I thought it would be a nice way to raise spirits.”
The second-hand book shop already enjoys a strong reputation locally, having scooped a number of awards for it’s work supporting charities and local community groups.
Kayda believes the idea for this latest initative comes out of the desire to help the community in whatever means possible.
She added: “The shop has been a bit of a community hub and we make sure that we take the time to include everybody in the events we run and there’s already some evidence of that community vibe coming through.
“We’ve had some really nice messages and donations of books and it does seem to be a real mix of people - young and old - that are getting involved.
“One of the things I’m doing is that people can request books for family or friends and have it accompanied with a wee post-it note message and we’re finding that people are wanting to send books to others, which is a really nice thing to do.”
To request a collection or to help out, you can message Kayda on the Stirling Books Facebook page or by leaving a voicemail at the book shop on 01786465339.