Book Box is a new project aimed at promoting reading in localities around Malta and Gozo by bringing back to life the traditional red telephone boxes and transforming them into a small swap library where everyone is welcome to exchange books.

Vodafone Malta is taking part in an innovative initiative that a group of University students are working on called Book Box.

“We believe reading is of utmost importance, not only for current generations but also for future ones,” said Miriam Dalli, corporate affairs senior executive at Vodafone Malta.

“We are well aware that in today’s world people are less keen on reading a good book, and we think this is a pity. Reading can transport you into a creative world of your own.

“As a company, we believe it is also our responsibility to promote reading, so we instantly agreed to help out Book Box.”

Vodafone Malta helped kickstart the project with a mutual consensus that the wealth lying on the shelves is to be taken care of as if it were one’s own by providing the first books for this public library. After a call for the donation of books to this project, Vodafone employees managed to pool in five boxes of books, including famous novels, books in Maltese, educational books and fun books.

“Thanks to the ‘swap’ system, the service provided through Book Box will be absolutely free,” said Book Box president Roberta Genovese.

“Giving and taking will ensure that Book Boxes around Malta will always be filled with a variety of books. Donations will help us keep all book boxes stocked with the latest titles on the shelves.

“We are also hoping that through this innovative project people who do not normally read much will be exposed to different genres, influencing family members and friends to follow suit. Our main aim at the moment is to promote the idea as much as possible.”

Anyone interested in helping out can find Book Box on Facebook or e-mail bookboxlibrary@gmail.com.