Oakham book lover turns garage into community library

A woman who started handing out books with a few boxes on a table has now turned her garage into a community library.

Lisa Batty started leaving books outside her Rutland home during the lockdown and now has about 1,000 for people to borrow or trade for free.

The 47-year-old said she wanted to share her love of books and raise money for a local charity from the donations.

The Garage Library in Tyne Road, Oakham, is open every second Sunday of the month.

Ms Batty said she had always loved books and reading and wanted to share her passion with the community during the Covid pandemic.

“We just wanted to have a few boxes of books on the table for free for people, but we got too many donations, so we opened the garage,” she said.

The book lover moved her household items to the back of the garage and filled the front with bookshelves.

She said she also used a ladder as a bookshelf.

“We invite people to drop off books they no longer want and don’t know where to pass them on,” she said.

“Everyone is welcome. You don’t need to bring a book, just come, browse and pick up a book to read.

“The Garage now gives people the space and opportunity to share and browse all the books.

“It’s great to pass on new books and stories to people.”

Tracey Canham, who uses the service, said it was a “wonderful idea because it brings books to people”.

“During Covid, these little boxes were left outside and I would pick a few and put a few inside,” said the 50-year-old.

“Now it has grown a lot. I love that it’s easy to get to and there’s a lot to choose from.

“It’s brilliant because other people get to read what I read and enjoy them over and over again.”

Ms Batty added that people could make a donation to borrow the books, which would go towards the Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project.