Oakham Book Swap turn 3 today, Wednesday 26 April.

The local group have been swapping books since the April 2020 lockdown, and they have swapped thousands of books and supported multiple local and national charities in that time.

Founded and maintained by Lisa Batty, the Oakham Book Swap has been running from her home for 3 years, and is jumping from strength to strength, supported by upwards of 300 people.

The initiative began as a pop-up book shop based outside Lisa's home in Dean's Street, Oakham, a place where interested parties could go to swap and exchange books for free.

Since then, Lisa has moved house, taking the book swap with her. Now the ever-popular initiative can be found on Tyne Road, Oakham.

Lisa said: "I started the book swap in April 2020 during lockdown - I've always loved the idea of starting a local book swap, having been a Bookcrossing member for several years, but didn't really know how to do it. When we went into lockdown and charity shops and cafes closed I had nowhere to leave my books for others to enjoy, so I decided to leave a few in a box on my doorstep, hoping that some might be left too!"

Displaying the wonderful community spirit that Oakham can be proud of, the book swap has flourished over the past 3 years. Lisa now has a garage full of preloved books ready and waiting for a new home.

She added: "With the continued success (and so many books), we decided to keep it going after the pandemic and a house move. As well as being a joy to others, it brings joy to us as a family too. I have discovered so many new authors and books that I would never usually have picked up in a shop or library, and my son has also had lots of children's books that have been shared. Our own bookshelves are ever-changing now and all of us get excited when a cookery book appears!"

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Enjoy a range of genres, titles and book-chat. Image credit: Oakham Book Swap.

As more people began to use the initiative, Lisa introduced regular book swap events one Sunday a month in which she hosts a raffle and supports national and local charities, from Rutland Rotaract to Pancreatic Cancer UK. Lisa's own dad suffered from pancreatic cancer, so this is a cause that she supports each November, marking Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Another charity that the book swap has supported, Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue, are hosting their annual fundraising quiz on 5 May. Find out more here.

Lisa added: "We've had several comments and even notes and thank you cards left to say how much joy it has brought people, even being described as a lifeline during the lockdowns when people had no access to the library or shops."

Although it is a book swap, the main aim is to share unwanted books so they're not left unread on shelves or thrown away, and Lisa is happy for people to come along and take a few books without bringing their own to donate. Books are free, but users can donate cash and loose change to support theB Book Swap's charity of the month initiative.

Lisa added: "We don't mind if people have nothing to share - if they see a book they'd like to read we hope they take it with them, with a promise to pass it on once they've read it."

In conclusion, Lisa said: "We've never counted books in and out but from our estimations we must have swapped getting on for 5000 books between us all now. Sometimes our front room looks like a book shop! We've also donated an admirable total to local charities, which is really important."

Pick up pre-loved titles. Image credit: Oakham Book Swap.

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The group have also supported Rutland Foodbank who, today, Wednesday 26 April, announced that they have fed a record number of people over the last 12 months, proving that local initiatives like this are crucial. Read more here.

For those interested in joining the scheme, Oakham Book Swap mainly use Facebook to share info and talk about books in general. This is also where Lisa updates opening hours, although if the weather is good, usually the boxes are out!

To find Lisa's book swap, head to Tyne Road on the south side of Oakham, and follow the scent of books until you have sniffed out this local treasure.

Happy reading!