Mum who set up reading initiative now on lookout for bigger shed for 500 books after massive success in Derby

A Derby mum who created a book passion project for the community during lockdown is now seeking a larger shed after amassing hundreds of book donations over 18 months.

What started off as a few books on her garden wall to encourage reading and social interaction, has now grown into a shed that accommodates over 500 books.

Joanne Evans, 44, from Sunny Hill, Derby says the current book shed is a ‘victim of its own success’ and has put a call out on social media for help from the local community.

Writing on Facebook Joanne said: ‘We feel the shed is now too small to cope with the donations we have and the current storage facility.

‘While this is amazing, we have to look to the future and decide what’s the best going forward.’

It is hoped that a larger shed will not only accommodate and protect hundreds of books, but also provide a better browsing experience for book-loving passers-by.

Joanne said: “The shed is fine, it’s just too small, it is six-by-eight but we really need it to be eight-by-10.

“We’re running out of room to store the books, more people are coming by, dropping off more books, so we really need more storage.”

Joanne’s Sunny Hill Stories Book Shed has humble origins with a big heart.

The idea behind the book shed is that people are encouraged to take a book away for free, enjoy reading it, then either keep it, pass it on, or return the book to the shed.

Donations are also welcome to expand the reading choices for the book reading community that Joanne has founded in the southern Derby suburb of Sunny Hill.

The project started during lockdown when inspired by a similar initiative in Sinfin, Joanne left a box filled with children’s books on her garden wall.

It quickly became apparent to Joanne that there was a need for a communal reading space, when people started donating books of all genres, in their droves.

“I would put children’s books out on the wall and the local kids would love them.

“They would come by after school, excitedly pull out books and take them away.

“It was a joy seeing others enjoy reading, and spreading the word about books is something I love doing.”

Sunny Hill Stories Book Shed is now so popular, people make the journey across counties to read books from Joanne’s prized collection.

“There is a woman who travels from Nottinghamshire every month, without fail.

“She will bring books with her and take books away to read, it is so great to see.”

Sharing her love for reading is one of the joys that the book shed has brought Joanne, however she admits that it has sometimes been difficult.

Reflecting on the shed’s beginnings, Joanne said; “It hasn’t been an easy project to start.

“Now we have the shed with shelves, it is a lot more easier to maintain.

“It took around nine months to really get going, and I had lots of help from the community.

“I also used the Olia app and social media to spread the word about the book shed to as many people as possible.”

Sunny Hill Stories Book Shed is more than a safe space that celebrates reading.

It has also managed to capture the attention of people of all ages, from all walks of life.

Joanne said: “I really just wanted to share the love of reading, as everyone should have the opportunity to read a good book.

“It is so nice to see a kid put their phone away, browse books in the shed and start reading.

“If I can get someone to put away their tech and swap it for a book, then I’m happy.”

“During the cost-of-living crisis, not everyone has lots of money, so books aren’t seen as a priority.

“With the book shed I am encouraging people to take a break away from expensive tech, pick up a book and use their imagination instead.”

Joanne is hopeful for the future of the shed and said despite its early issues - missing boxes, vandals damaging the shed - she would never quit.

It has become a part of her life and daily routine.

When she first started the project, she would juggle her work, family life and the book shed duties, spending around three hours a day sorting boxes of books.

Now she spends around one hour per day, and more depending on the number of book donations she has to sort through.

Joanne’s dedication to books is infectious.

She says three people, who have seen what she and Sinfin Book Wall have accomplished in the community, have now gone on to set up something similar by themselves.

Speaking about the power of books, Joanne said: “I just really enjoy a good book.

“I know I can’t solve the world’s problems but what I can offer people is the precious time for them to refocus and re-evaluate their lives by picking up a book.

“Just 10 minutes of reading can help so much.”

For those tempted to start a book community project, Joanne has some wise words of advice.

“Start off simple.

“I started off with a wall, so get a few books to start off with and see what happens.

“Get some signage telling people what to do, so for example, a note saying ‘feel free to browse and take a free book’.

“After a month, get a box for the books, and don’t forget, always ask people for feedback, to see how they’re finding it.

“I’m just a regular mum, trying to change peoples’ perceptions about reading.

“Reading books out loud to people can also be a really great way to bond and spend quality time.

“The book shed is special to me, as that one person browsing through the books, may not have spoken to anyone during their day, so it is also a spot of a little bit of interaction.”

Sunny Hill Stories Book Shed is open 7 days a week.

People are welcome to visit during daylight hours to minimise noise and out of courtesy to Joanne’s neighbours.

For more information about Sunny Hill Stories Book Shed, visit their Facebook page here.