University of York history graduate and bookseller at Waterstones (formerly Waterstone’s) and Max Minerva’s independent bookshop Olivia Clements trended on Twitter over the weekend.
In spite of just having 675 followers, a tweet by Clements on Friday touched the hearts of thousands. In it, she announced:
“I made a community library! If you’re in the Bishopston area of Bristol please feel free to visit, borrow, swap out, and enjoy some much needed escapism.”
Two stories to keep beside you
Heroine of the Hour 2021 – Pauline Bridge
82-year-old granny Pauline Bridge gets up at 5am daily to deliver newspapers on her bicycle; she’s quite the contrast to bicycling pensioner and funeral crasher Theresa Doyle.
Hero of the Hour 2021 – Peter Harknett
That 86-year-old steeplejack Peter Harknett has just completed his final job climbing St Giles Church in Horsted Keynes is remarkable.
The response to the missive was extraordinary and aside from 1,500 retweets and 13,500 likes, thoughtful and plainly kind Clements received over 330 comments including ones from Professor Michelle Ryan who’d set up a ‘free library’ just outside of Exeter.
Whilst one Mark Wicks nastily mocked this as “a really middle class thing to do with no real understanding of collection management or the role of libraries as a place maker in the local community,” unsurprisingly most celebrated this “great individual effort” in the spirit in was plainly intended.
For those living in Bristol, Olivia Clements’ book exchange can be found in Elton Road, Bishopston, BS7 and those wishing to donate books should contact her directly on Twitter.
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Readers have their say
6 comments
I love this idea and only wish the neighbours in Pimlico would set one up. As a pensioner, I could contribute books but I could not make the cabinet. I would love to get in on “THE SWAP”
A constructive and useful thing to do. That nasty little turd Mark Wicks clearly needs to visit a DIY shop and get the chip on his shoulder repaired
I took a look at Mark Wicks image. On the basis a picture is worth a thousand words he looks a 18ct idiot
Pwoah!!!!!! Olivia is needed Down Under!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A beauty and a brain and a kind heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The perfect Sheila —- Give her an OBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Wicks needs help. Why be so unkind?
Mark – Go seek assistance. Urgently.
As for Olivia – YOU ARE AMAZING!
What a fantastic lady, and brilliant idea.
It puts everything into context when you compare this news with previous stories.
One springs to mind, the fat slob Phillip Green ( Mr Shifty )
Olivia’s contribution gives one hope for the Human race, when the slob Green heads off into the sunset with his 50 Million, while 20,000 of his ex employees are left high and dry.
As for Mark Wicks, Get a life, Twit.
Congratulations Olivia.