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Free libraries and book exchanges are one of life’s little joys. So we’re sad to say that all book swaps at London Underground stations have been removed.
You’re probably thinking, there’s enough bad stuff going on in the world right now, why take away something so wholesome and harmless? Well, according to TfL, the London Fire Brigade has deemed these little free libraries a fire hazard.
For decades Londoners have been able to drop off old books and pick up a new one at one of the many community libraries set up at tube stations in the city. Now book swaps at locations such as Clapham North, Lewisham and Oval are all gone.
Signs discovered at Oval and Clapham North stations read: ‘Due to Fire Safety Regulations from the London Fire Brigade, we have been forced to CLOSE all Book Exchange Libraries on ALL London Underground Stations with immediate effect.
‘We are all SAD to see this go. Thank you for all your support over the years.’
A spokesperson for TfL told Time Out: ‘We work very closely with London Fire Brigade and other emergency services to ensure our services run safely and following guidance from the Fire Service, we have advised our staff to remove book swaps from stations.
‘We’d like to apologise to any of our customers that this impacts and we are reviewing our processes for these internally and will work with the Fire Service to see if book swaps can be re-introduced at some stations across the network in the future. We will also work with local communities to redistribute books to alternative local locations in the meantime.’
However, TfL added that if book exchanges are able to meet fire regulations they may one day be able to come back. ‘Sub-surface stations however do have more stringent fire safety regulations than above ground ones,’ they said.
There’s hope for the little libraries yet.
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