What Should be Done With The World's Telephone Booths?
A change in use that started in both London and New York is now taking hold here in Ticino as well. Again today, for the second time in the past few weeks I've come across a phone booth that's been turned into a miniature library!
The glory days of the once beloved phone booth are now over. I mean, when was the last time you actually saw someone use one? The reason for their disuse is obvious but are we really ready to let them become part of forgotten history?
I saw this little beauty today in Bellinzona. It's the second one I've seen so far! Photo by @kus-knee
Here's another example of one that's been embellished with a painting. it can be found near me in Morbio Inferiore. Photo Credit.
Telephone Booths as Miniature Libraries
It's uncertain whether or not this idea started in London but many of their famous red booths now contain books.
In New York, the architect John Locke didn't want to lose these iconic objects of the city and so he pushed for some of them to be reconfigured as miniature libraries. Locke discovered that the right location was important. His first version had all the books gone within 6 hours and within a week the shelving was stolen! Sad!
The idea with these libraries is that people are free to take books and to make other books available.
Here's an example of one of architect Locke's installations. Photo credit
Phone Booths In Switzerland
- As of 2018 a federal law requiring each township to have at least on public phone booth will be eliminated!
- According to a census done in 2015 0nly 1.8% of those queried had used a public booth in the past 12 months and none of them were between 15 and 29 years of age!
- At the end of 2014 there were 5,678 phone booth in Switzerland and at the end of 2016 that number was down to 3,105.
- In Ticino, the part of Switzerland where I live, there are now 16 phone booth libraries and counting!
The World's Least Used Phone Both?
The town of Braggio in southern Switzerland, which boasts 70 inhabitants was required by law to supply a public phone booth. On average, in 205-2016 it was used a whopping total of two times per year and brought in a grand total of about $1.60!
What About You?
- Do you like this idea?
- Have you seen one of these miniature libraries?
- Would you find them useful if there were any in your area?
- Would this type of honor system work where you live?
I hope that you enjoyed this article about "New Life For The Poor Old Obsolete Phone Booth!"
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
Remember, if you upvote my post and leave a comment I will do my best to upvote it with some of my 41,000 plus Steem Power!
This at first glance looks like a good idea but could only be long term viable in a society composed of individuals who all had concern and respect for public property. A very small group of people or neighbors might be able to share tools, for example, but as soon as just one person abuses the tool or fails to return it to its proper place after using it, the benefits of sharing begin to break down.
Supporters of this initiative would be well advised to familiarize themselves with the concept of "The Tragedy of the Commons"
"The tragedy of the commons is an economic theory of a situation within a shared-resource system where individual users acting independently according to their own self-interest behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting or spoiling that resource through their collective action."
Full article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons
You make some very good points. It is true that a minority can ruin things for the majority. I enjoy associating with people that are striving towards altruistic behaviour and who make efforts to apply the "Golden Rule".
I have read that here on Steemit users of this social media platform are, on average, far less trolling than on other social media sights. One reason put forth for this phenomenon is the reputation system. Have you observed this as well?
I think that you are being extremely over optimistic when you say "a minority can ruin things for the majority".
Unfortunately, it is the majority of humans who cannot act in all circumstances altruistically, or for the benefit of the overall whole. Narrow self interest is the rule, not the exception.
oh it's amazing to find old phone booths turned into mini libraries
here they have that too
but like small houses on the side of the road with a glass door and anyone may just take any book or lend its up to them
or add new ones
in the club where i do the organic gardening they have them there in the gate before the Romanian Garden but I have never checked them books out
I'm an OC - i'm scared hahahahah
like sheldon - waahhahaha
the whole world is reading this
good night Old Dawg
tonight am sleeping very very happy and younger from LOLing
Thanks for your cool comment. You appreciate books, organic gardening, and phone booths....fabulous!
You're pretty reputable yourself, Old dog. Might want to start trolling more.
Totally agree, unfortunately we don't (yet) live in a world where sharing would work long term .
Exactly! So we best launch our initiatives based on the way the world really is rather than the way it should be or we would like it to be it to be.
In other words, stop voting for socialism LOL
Couldn't agree more. Let's stop pretending a little and give the people what they really want.
I've actually always voted anti-socialism :)
It won't work here in the Philippines. The whole booth and everything in it will be stolen!
Yikes, that's sad!
hahaha sad enough lol :D so there are also stealers there i thought it only happens in desi countries :P
Thieves are always around in countries where poverty is rampant.
Where will Superman go to change???
That is also my biggest concern. I might not sleep tonight!
Well you know me Buddy, somebody has to be concerned with the bigger picture! The utility of using them for books is fine (nobody loves books more than I do) but if Superman has to take a cab to his icy cave at the North Pole- he'll get back too late to save Lois and Jimmy!!!
Hahhaha!
Some guy writes me a comment on my last chapter saying "These stories give me the creeps :( " Why read them???
LOL!
hahahaha. Perfect.
What a great initiative the people have done to turn these communal phone booths into "extracurricular" booths. The designs and feel of it is really pleasing too, I love it!
Furthermore, this opportunity to embellish the towns as well as and more importantly educating , if not simply for the fact of exposing the crowds to different realms of thoughts and perspectives. Awesome!
Thanks a bunch for sharing and congratulations to you all! Namaste :)
Yes it is such a nice idea and one that I can use because we like to have books to read around my house!
I think it's a great idea...in fact my intention is to search one out and start participating...have lots of books that I won't read again and I haven't the heart to throw out , so an exchange would be perfect!!
Well one of the sites that I linked to above had a map with the locations! Problem half solved!
I love to read and I like to share and exchange my books... here in Giubiasco there is one... I discovered new authors and stories... super idea!
Hey wow, great. For a mannequin you are certainly no dummy!
We have a coool grafiti painted one in our town . I should take some shots of it
That's a great idea. You could do a series of posts about it!
so with 4th generation, these telephone booths have become obsolete....
so its great idea to convert those the telephone booth to miniature libraries....
its a good post something unique...in its own sense...
Thanks a lot...steem on & stay blissful....
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Thank you for posting @kus-knee.
Lovely post regarding one of those nostalgic objects we wish could have a second life.....the telephone booth.
The idea of miniature libraries is delightful indeed. A company named Penquin does a lovely job of reprinting classics in paperback form including the original illustrations on the cover. Wouldn't you enjoy seeing one packed with such....I know I would. The paperbacks would hopefully be able to be afforable enough so that the honour system would be no problem.
All the best to you and yours. Cheers.
Yes some of the old book are so beautiful. I think that these mini libraries are stocked with people's used books.
Thank you for your reply @kus-knee.
Yes....love the idea of used books with a give and take honour system.
As you say....they are beautiful and the idea of them in a phone booth is the cat's meow.
Cheers.
Cheers.
I was thinking similarly <3.
I personally like the idea a lot, probably less expensive and better than elimate an old phone both! Saw one also in Tesserete
So did you take a book to read?
That is a most wonderful idea! I had seen where old pianos were donated/repaired and left in parks for anyone to play. Although I would imagine the books would get abused. Perhaps people would take and Ebay them for profit...I hope not. Thanks for another great post!!
Yes we would hope that people wouldn't steal them!
Brilliant idea, but some are open and exposed to the sun and rain, all books should be protectect by doors
I was wondering about that too. Those are the booths in NYC. I'm not sure what they do about the elements.
I am late here but I love this idea. I have seen book boxes or booths in Canada and Sydney, Australia but not telephone booth libraries. I can't believe the shelves were stolen though, so sad to hear these things happen. I still believe in this idea though. It is great for travellers who want a book to read or who have finished a book and need to save luggage space!
I would love to see this on the streets here but I am scared not everyone will keep it nice and clean nor respect what will be inside!
I have been thinking about starting a book share point but never made is as far as having the idea.
My sister @uglysweater, would love to see littel mini libraries in our town. She's a book freak. I saw my Dad already commented that honor systems only work in certain places and I must say, I totally agree with him. But, every time I do see it work, it is very encouraging.
@noboxes is your dad? Good to know. He must be a great man and so proud of you!!!!!!
Libraries are a great idea!! However they need to be in places where folks will replenish the books and be honest. I also can see the phone booths used as an information booth in the downtown of a city. Another idea would be as a shelter for someone at a bus stop while they are waiting for the bus or train. I am all about reuses and re purpose Thanks for sharing
Hey, you have some great ideas! I like them!
There are red telephone booths all over London but I don't think anyone truly uses them. I like the concept of them and if you need to contact someone or the emergency services and you don't have a phone they are really distinguishable.
Too bad that they are starting to become uncommon @kus-knee but at least people can use the space and structure to build something amazing like this. I really like the idea but I feel like all the books will be stolen in one shape or form haha
Yes stealing is a big problem. Who, though would want to steal a book when all that you can do with it is read it. They are mostly paperbacks and have very little value. The ideas is as a book exchange. You are free to take the book with no expectation of bringing it back. O n the other hand if you have books that you want to get rid of you can leave them there!
I guess no one would really have the intent to steal the book and it would be a good place to dispose of the books rather than throwing them away but I don't know how productive they will be until they become the new relic of the past @kus-knee
I really love this idea but I am afraid that these cannot be installed in India becuase its people are careless and will steal the books and sell them at other book store. Even in the railways some notorious people steal the fans and lights installed there, this is really shameful and India still needs some strict laws to be made for it. This idea of phone booth with books is give and take type.
I'm sorry to read of the vandalism where you live. If people are honest it makes things better. Thanks for the comment!
@kus-knee - Nice idea but I assure this concept will not work in most of Asian region countries. People will steal the booth and books too. Better keep books at regular libraries and booth with telephone. Love your work & experience. Therefore, I wish to ReSteem your post.
+W+ [UpVoted & ReSteemed]
I'm so sorry that it wouldn't work in your area. It's a bit sad. Thanks resteem!
It's nice to see life brought back into old objects. We have an old police box in Glasgow city centre that looks like the TARDIS but they have converted it into an ice cream stand. It makes a killing in the summer.
I only know of one phone box around our area and that keeps getting its glassed smashed. I wonder when they are just going to cut there losses stop replacing the glass and remove the damn thing, they must be losing tonnes of money on it.
That sounds like a neat place in Glasgow. Why not write about it?
I'm not a big fan of phone-booths transformed into small libraries because I don't like reading books. It's a big waste of time.
Let's turn them into cool wending machines for cigarettes and condoms.
Someone else suggested greenhouses. How about that?
Let's compromise and make them Cannabis greenhouses
This is a great idea! Some years ago I've already seen very good examples in some cities and villages. Bring and take books! But this requires some kind of awareness: taking care of the values, loving books and literature, keeping order.
But old phone boots are not only for books, they can be good place for some clothes, toys or sustainable food for poor people. Protects against weather. :)))
I love your ideas as to other uses for the phone booth!
They easily forget it when the oldest mobile phone is known so it is now forgotten, very sad .. maybe in the next few years it will be the target of the collectors.nice post @kus-knee
Yes I could see that!
Oh yeah.. That will be a great idea💡 @kus-knee Ťhe Öld Đog..🐶
But I never seen a miniature library in our country.. But it will be really helpful for any one.. I'm very grateful in your effort..😊 upvoted for you..👌👍
Thanks so much for your visit and your comment! @djmalith
Dear @kus-knee
Great Idea. I think will use cctv camera for it.
Thanks for sharing.
Upvoted and resteemed.
Cheers!
Thanks so much @jayantha!
I'm actually surprised to hear they haven't been removed. My first thought when I saw this post was that you had gotten ahold of one and had it at home.
Obviously not the case, but had it been, I had thought of a mini greenhouse as a possible use. I doubt that would work in a city booth unless someone watered regularly.
I like your idea about the green house! You can porch it to @papa-pepper and @quinneaker
I am constantly taking books to Goodwill. Our local library is full up and trying to get rid of books! So yeah I am in favor and would drop off loads of books. I dont read books as often because of this thing called Steemit lol.
Yes the poor old book has given way to digital formats. I still like them though and the look good sittting on the shelf... makes us look smarter somehow! :)
What an ingenious idea. This works well in Old world and New world countries, but I can not see it happening in Latin America. The books would be stolen within hours and the booths either destroyed or stolen to build houses...sigh
Sometimes it is difficult to soar like an eagle when you live with turkeys...
So many have made the same observation. It seems to be an economic problem. Love your saying about turkeys and eagles!
The ides to reuse the old phone booths is great.
The free libraries are becoming more and more popular in my country - Bulgaria. We have just a small wooden cupboard in the local park where people are exchanging their books. Such small corners can be found in different areas in my hometown.
Another free library is offering books on the beach.
That great to know and it promotes reading, recycling and sharing!
damm good ideas this is ,i have not seen this before but thanks to you for telling and sharing about this :)
Yes it's so cool!
amigo #resteemia at your service
it's an excellent work, but need CCTV camera also. nice work @kus-knee
ReSteemia
'UpVote ReSteem Comment'
There are plenty of CCTV's around here!
I love the miniature libraries!
Such a shame to see the old red phone boxes leaving England. They were so iconic.
I remember when I was about 10 I used to collect the old style picture phone cards that you used to buy to use the phone boxes. People used to just leave them on the floor around the old phone boxes when the credit ran out and I would take them home, clean them up, and blue tac them onto my bedroom door!! I had quite a collection!!
Wow what a great memory and a cool collection!
I wish I knew where all my old phone cards were... sadly the collection was one of those things that I left at my parents' house when I moved out. They probably got thrown out with the rubbish. Which is a shame to think.
Wow...another wonderful idea by my dear the old dog @kus-knee
I remember looks like phone booth in my country before 10 years ago....
But it is not now...
Wel done and perfect work...
Upvoted and resteemed..
Cheers~~~~~
Thanks so much @dinisanda!
You are wel come "The old dog"
I do like the idea and have seen a couple neighborhood mini-libraries similar to this (they weren't in retired phone booths though). The thing I'm not sure of is exactly how much use I would make of one were it near me. Nor how likely I would be to lend books through the "system."
I think the honor system would work well for the most part. Here in Denmark -where I am staying at present- the public transport uses the honor system to some extent except for the times when there are ticket checks (not often in my multi-week experience). There are also many "gårdbutiks" - small garden stalls or shops where you can purchase produce, flowers and eggs. Payment is by leaving cash or using the MobilePay app linked to your bank account. Again I hesitate somewhat to call this the honor system since I've seen cameras recording the gårdbutiks. It's a sort of "trust but verify" system perhaps.
I've experienced the same system in place at historical sites I've visited as well.
Potential issues I see with the mini-lending library (despite the fact that I like the idea) are:
You make a lot of useful observations. I don't think that the idea is to put the book back but to have the books circulate with people putting in other books!
This is one of those great works.
The library is the work of 45-year-old local resident, Sebastian Handley, who purchased the Grade II heritage listed phone box on behalf of the Brockley Society as part of British Telecom's ‘Adopt a Kiosk' scheme. The initiative sees disused classic telephone booths, which are extremely costly to maintain and hence falling into disrepair, sold to local charities for the nominal fee of £1.
Sebastian then used £500 out his own pocket to renovate the booth; install shelving, lighting and carpet; and fill it with books. The micro-library is now heralded as the smallest library in London with a range of some 200 titles from auto-biographies to fiction to guide books. There's even a shelf dedicated to children's literature so even the smallest residents can enjoy visiting the space.
Nice one @kus-knee
Thanks for sharing this!
It is so nice that they did not just take them down but rather transformed them into all those different utilities :) Phone booths for many of us has certain nostalgic value and now it is a pleasure to see them reborn in so many different ways.
It only proves that if municipality or government is thinking, there are many amazing ways to improve on the city and is great attraction to tourists and pleasant reminder to the locals that has utility.
What a great comment. Thanks!
It's just but a mere reflection on your post :)
Libraries are nice but I wish Europe had more public bathrooms! Maybe we can turn some of them into porta potties. 😁
I LOVE this idea. Let's work on it! If I can get one installed will you do the honour of being the first to test it out?
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Thank you for the honor but no one would want to use it afterwards. Perhaps you wife could christen it for us?
Thank you for loving the idea though! It's needed for all of us tourists. tip!
@kus-knee Its really a great idea but it's seems a little problem how can protect the book from stealing by someone??
These type of lending libraries are common. Take a book, leave a book. I have seen one at a park in San Antonio, Texas with children's books. These are just so cool because they're using an old phone booth!!
Yes it really is a great idea and it promotes reading, another lost art!
I don't think that they are worried about stealing. You are free to take any book that you want and you can leave your old books there.
I think this is fantastic use. In regards to honor systems, I've discovered they only work in certain cultures. Sadly, there are just some cultures where it would not work. Here in North Idaho, at every boat ramp into the many, many lakes, there is a board that has safety precautions posted and there are always life vests to be borrowed. This photo is not mine -
Here's another use for phone booths - this belongs to a friend of mine in Oregon who has made his own little car museum. This photo is mine
Wow what great experiences and photos. That is good material for articles by you!
Thank you for the inspiration Old Dog! Great idea.
Pretty nice idea and lever usage of what we already have. @OriginalWorks Thanks for sharing @kus-knee
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Thanks for having a look!
Telephone booths can be used in books and other work. This will not erase your old history. Change over time comes.
True!
yes a good idea the peoples can have a easy approach to books in this way but the main problem is how we can protect the books they are never be safe in telephone booths.
Well there's now worry about stealing them because they are there to be taken and not necessarily to be brought back. Here it works but most likely not everywhere.
Very good idea.Sincerely, I love it! They are not afraid to get robbed books ? It would be a shame to steal them. No one will benefit.
Resteemed
Well they are there for the taking and don't need to be signed out or returned.
superb idea it really backs the phrase "when there is a will there is a way".
It is kind of cool!
I love this! I just posted it to my group AmblesideOnline on facebook. We are a group of homeschool moms who use classical literature as our curriculum. This is right up our alley.
I currently live in Panama and here, people still use phone booths with actual phones in them! I have seen them be used quite a few times...and pretty much everyone carries a cell phone too! So crazy!! I just need to wait until I see one that is empty and I'll roll the books in.
Thanks for the post! Love it!!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment and experience! Congrats on your homeschool moms initiative as well!
I like the idea that's fantastic it will help the poor and needy peoples.
Great thinking by you!
This is a smart idea. Unfortunately, this can not be done in our country
Why? No phone booths? Too many vandals? Just curious.
I did not see the phone booth for many years in my city. But if they are, it will be destroyed or stolen. This is our reality
@kus-knee,
Definitely this is one of the greatest idea I have ever seen! Yeah, Telephone booth are no longer valuable with mobile society, so if we can use it as mini library that would be a great idea of course!
Actually I have never seen such kind of library before! But I am weekly going to the library near to my house! So, I will tell them about this concept!
Thank you very much for sharing such great experience with us! Really appreciate your effort!
Cheers~
Nice to read that you regularly go to the library. The book might die off with the hone booth!
On one of my walks I pass by this house that has this bright red phone booth in their front yard. Looks silly, but has some touch to it :P
What an unusual garden feature. I saw one somewhere once as well.