Boost for book lovers as new book swap box is funded by Love Where You Live

Book lovers can look forward to finding new favourite reads on their doorstep after a new book box was unveiled in Atherley South thanks to funding from Barnsley Council’s Love Where You Live programme.

The book swap box has been installed at Monsal Crescent alongside a new bench as part of our borough-wide investment in enhancing our communities.

The project was selected by St Helen’s ward councillors and brought forward by our Barnsley Council North Area Team.

This colourful new addition to the street scene was decorated by children from Athersley South Primary School who attend after-school workshops run by community group Ad Astra.

Residents in St Helen’s are encouraged borrow a book to read before returning it for others to enjoy. They can also support the project by donating their own books to the box.

The book box was officially launched by St Helen’s ward councillors and children from Athersley South Primary School, who also enjoyed a book hunt around the nearby public green space.

This project aims to boost a sense of community pride and encourage residents to connect with each other through a shared love of reading.

It is part of a package of projects being delivered in St Helen’s ward: we’ve also funded new marker stones for Smithies and Athersley South and six planters to be placed around the ward.

Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, Cllr Wendy Cain, said:

“The new book swap box library at Monsal Crescent is a wonderful new addition which I hope residents will cherish and make use of.

“The new marker stones and planters will also enhance the street scene and foster a sense of community pride.

“Love Where You Live is all about making our communities more welcoming places that we’re all proud to call home and we’re proud to be delivering projects right across Barnsley which celebrate our strong community spirit.”

Through Love Where You Live, Barnsley Council is investing £3.5 million in our communities, with enhancement projects like these in every ward, targeted community clean-ups, major parks improvements and Unity and Inclusion Grants for events and schemes bringing everyone together.

You can play your part, whether it’s by litter-picking in your neighbourhood, attending an event or volunteering with a local organisation.

Find out more about Love Where You Live at barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive.