In a city like Valencia , not precisely lacking in second-hand libraries, a project has emerged that transcends the mere business of used books. This initiative is The Free Books Club , which functions as a unique amalgamation of a bookstore, social club, and NGO aimed at book lovers. For a minimal fee, members can take home as many books as they wish.
The visionary behind this project is Rafael Soriano , a passionate advocate for reading who embodies the club’s philosophy: “All books are jewelry; some just need a bit of care. That’s the purpose of the club: to rescue books and transfer them from good hands to others, creating an immense library of people who want to continue nurturing these stories.”
Rafael believes that every single book has value. As he puts it, “A book can feel like a brick, but if you find a page, a paragraph, or a text that resonates with you, that makes it a good book.” The Free Books Club offers an affordable membership fee of just 11 euros per year , allowing members to borrow as many books as they like (and donating does not require membership). The club’s goal is to ensure that no book goes unread, although this mission is not without its challenges.
One of the challenges has been space; Rafael lost track of the number of volumes in their collection when he hit 200,000. The sheer number has led to a situation where they can no longer classify or catalog the books adequately. With no room left in their original premises, Rafael and his team have turned to members for help. “When someone requests a large donation—say, twelve or fourteen boxes of books—we often can’t accommodate them in the Valencia premises,” he explains.
The project has developed into a fully collaborative effort . The club’s website plays a pivotal role in arranging for storage solutions and facilitating donations. Currently, there are an estimated 300,000 “saved” books , a figure Rafael takes great pride in. Looking ahead, they have plans for expansion, including the establishment of another similar club in Padrón, A Coruña.
Additionally, an agreement has been struck allowing club members to directly exchange books without needing to pass through the Valencia premises, using the website as a meeting hub. Rafael envisions a future where similar clubs exist in other provinces, enabling members to take a book in Valencia, leave it in Cáceres, and pick up another in Barcelona.
The Guardian of Books
Interestingly, Rafael Soriano’s journey to becoming a guardian of books began in a much different field: computing . “I started computer studies before there were dedicated faculties for it,” he recounted. After years of programming, he transitioned to managing a bar-restaurant, overseeing over thirty employees at a beach location.
Despite having various career paths, Rafael found himself looking for a purpose after nearly a decade in the hospitality industry. “I wasn’t quite ready for retirement, but I didn’t want to be idle at home either. That’s when the idea for the club took root,” he explains. This venture turned out to be a labor of love, a place to cultivate his passion for literature.
In essence, The Free Books Club represents more than just a common bookstore; it serves as a sanctuary for old books , providing them with a new lease on life through community involvement. As Rafael aptly puts it, “Here, everything is paper. Though it may seem like a chaotic collection, under the right hands, it transforms into treasure.”
As the conversation around sustainability and the importance of literacy in community settings continues, projects like The Free Books Club provide invaluable resources to those who wish to explore the literary world without the hefty price tag. This innovative approach demonstrates that love for books can flourish in a community-driven environment, ultimately benefiting all.