Bücherbox in Germany: Take a book, leave a book – free reading for everyone
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What are the free book boxes in Germany? Discover the idea behind Bücherbox, which can be found in many cities and neighbourhoods, and learn how they encourage children and adults to read and share knowledge at no cost.
A Bücherbox or öffentlicher Bücherschrank is a public book cabinet that is open to everyone. It is usually a small:
box,
wooden or metal cupboard,
or shelf
placed in streets, on squares, or in front of schools and other public places.
The idea is very simple:
Take a book – return it later or exchange it for another one.
There is:
no registration,
no membership,
no fee.
The whole concept is based on trust and voluntary book exchange within the community.
Book boxes are typically located:
at the entrances of public libraries (Stadtbibliothek) or cultural centres
near train stations, public transport stops or parks
in front of schools and kindergartens
inside shopping centres or pedestrian areas
To find them, you can search on Google Maps using:
“Bücherbox + city name”
Some municipalities even provide an official map of all book box locations on their websites.
Yes – and children are explicitly encouraged to use them:
Many Bücherboxen have a special section for children’s books (Kinderbücher).
Some are managed or supported by schools or parents’ associations.
In some cases they are integrated into school or district projects on reading promotion, where children are actively involved in choosing and exchanging books.
Through Bücherboxen, children learn:
to choose books for themselves
to share stories with others
to respect and care for books
and to experience reading as a natural part of everyday life.
The Bücherbox initiative aims to:
promote reading among children and adults
encourage people to share books instead of letting them gather dust at home
support sustainability and reuse, rather than discarding books
create a small social meeting point in the neighbourhood
provide access to books for people who cannot buy new ones regularly
In this way, a Bücherbox becomes a mini open-air library for everyone.
Even though the idea is open and low-threshold, there are some simple “rules of good practice”:
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Take a book | You may take a book without asking or registering – it’s based on trust. |
| Return it or swap it | Ideally, return the book after reading or replace it with another book in good condition. |
| Don’t place damaged or advertising material | Please avoid heavily damaged books or pure advertising brochures and flyers. |
| Children’s books are always welcome | They should be clean, complete and age-appropriate. |
Following these rules helps to maintain the quality of the book box and to make the experience pleasant for everyone, especially for children.
Yes, absolutely!
If you would like to set up a Bücherbox in your area, you can contact:
the municipal administration (Stadtverwaltung)
the district office (Bezirksamt)
cultural associations or the local city library (Stadtbibliothek)
In some cities and towns:
the municipality provides funding or ready-made boxes for community initiatives
or supports citizens in finding a suitable location and obtaining the necessary permissions
Creating a local Bücherbox can be a wonderful project for neighbours, schools and children, promoting reading and community spirit in your area.
| German term | Translation |
|---|---|
| Bücherbox / Bücherschrank | public book box / public book cabinet |
| Kinderbücher | children’s books |
| kostenlos | free of charge |
| Tausch | exchange |
| Stadtbibliothek | public city library |
| Leseförderung | reading promotion |
| Nachhaltigkeit | sustainability |
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The editorial team of this website makes every effort to provide accurate information through careful research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information may occur. Therefore, please regard the information in these articles as an initial point of reference and always consult local authorities, libraries or relevant organisations if you plan to start a similar project or need reliable, up-to-date details.
