Zoe Williams' advocacy for fire-safety regulations has led to the closure of beloved tube station book swaps. However, community voices argue that such regulations misinterpret actual fire risks, especially when considering the absence of danger at above-ground stations like Willesden Green, where the book-swap was situated near wide exits. Many community members, including those who cannot afford books, valued this resource highly, particularly in the wake of library closures. A reevaluation of the safety concerns regarding book-sharing initiatives in accessible public spaces seems necessary to support community literacy needs.
The book-share at Willesden Green was a much-loved community resource, especially for the growing number who cannot afford to buy books these days.
I regularly saw elderly people browsing the shelves, as well as mothers with small children. The scheme opens up access to books for those often intimidated by bookshops.
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