GET this – town’s free book shop proves major hit

GET Free Books Rotherham on College Walk welcomed Sarah Champion after she read about the unit, run by the charity Global Educational Trust in the Advertiser.

The GET scheme was set up to improve literacy skills and aims to make reading available to all, distributing a million free books a year via its 20 shops across Britain.

Since opening last year, the College Walk unit’s close proximity to Rotherham Interchange has seen it become a social hub and it celebrated its first anniversary in the summer.

It has provided thousands of free fiction and non-fiction books to children, students, genre fans, and pensioners.

Visitors can take up to three books at a time and donations are always welcome.  

Ms Champion said: “It was a pleasure to visit and speak to the wonderful volunteers and customers.

“This free book shop is a real community hub welcoming local residents, young and old.”

Volunteer Sheila Etches said: “Sarah was really genuine and interested, asking lots of questions about how we got involved as volunteers and how everything started.

“She didn’t take any books, but she said there were a few at home to donate, so she now knows where to come!”

The outlet has a Blind Date Night with a book stand with covered novels with clues to their plots, and recently started accepting jigsaw puzzles as well.

During half-term, GET Free Books Rotherham introduced a drawing table with cushions, crayons and paper to entertain children which proved popular and may become a permanent feature.

“We had one little girl who didn’t want to leave, she was so focused on and enthralled by her drawing,” said Sheila.

“Her grandparents could not move her, so they ended up in the seated area, having a natter with us.

“They came back later with a thank you card and a box of biscuits for us.

“The comments from customers on the board say things like: ‘You’re the best shop in Rotherham’ and ‘the shop is why I come into town’ so we must be doing something right!

“We’re going from strength to strength.”

GET Free Books Rotherham is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm and Saturdays between 11am and 2pm.