The Hidden Library, a book exchange telephone box located on Fulwood Road, is raising money for restorations to ensure it can remain in its community for years to come.
The former old red telephone box was renovated into a book exchange in 2022. People are invited to take books, leave books or just explore what it has to offer.
Melissa Leeming started The Hidden Library following a fundraising book trail she created in 2021 when raising money for her London Marathon charity run. She said: “To raise money for the charity, I wrapped up books and hid them around Sheffield parks for people to find and take home.
“The response was amazing. Yes, I had raised money, but it felt good to have given books another life and made reading accessible to people.”
Following this, Ms Leeming was offered the chance to renovate the telephone box, and “jumped at the chance” to do so.
Since then, The Hidden Library has built a community of people exchanging books, whilst also “breaking down accessibility issues to reading and books.”
In order to secure the longevity of The Hidden Library, repairs are needed to improve the structure and overall keep it standing. The original fundraising goal was set at £350, but that has risen to £800 as the costs became clearer.
Ms Leeming said: “It’s been a learning curve, but what’s really stood out is how generous people have been.
“People have donated what they can, shared the fundraiser, spread the word and helped get the library’s story out there.”
Ant Marketing, who own the phone box, are also contributing to the costs and arranging the repairs. Ms Leeming has also had the chance to speak about the project to various outlets, such as BBC Sheffield, which she said has been “brilliant for raising awareness, not just about the library but reading as well.”
She continued: “The thing that’s kept me going is knowing that people care about this little telephone box just as much as I do.
“Every donation makes a difference, and it’s reminded me that even a small community project can mean a lot to people.”
Ms Leeming continued by speaking about how she wants The Hidden Library to encourage reading for pleasure, and that the project’s goal is to make it more accessible. People don’t need a library card, membership or money to use it.
She said: “Ultimately, I’d love The Hidden Library to become something bigger than just a little telephone box full of books. Obviously, keeping the library going and making sure people in the local community can enjoy it is really important to me, but I also hope it can be the starting point for bigger conversations about literacy, reading for pleasure and access to books.
“I think we sometimes underestimate how important reading is, not just for education but for our wellbeing, our imagination and our opportunities in life. But not everyone has the same access to books, and I think that’s something we need to talk about more.
“I’d love to use The Hidden Library as a way to get those conversations going, whether that’s working with local organisations, speaking to decision-makers or even getting the attention of MPs and encouraging them to think about what more can be done to make reading accessible to everyone.”
The fundraiser currently sits £70 away from its £800 goal. You can read more about it, donate or share via Gofundme.
You can follow The Hidden Library on Instagram, @thehiddenlibrary_. You can visit The Hidden Library on Fulwood Road, Sheffield, opposite Nether Green Junior School.