Malaga village creates unique outdoor library using old street lights

A library with a difference has been launched by the local council in Cuevas del Becerro, a village in the Guadalteba area of inland Malaga. Books in the so-called Biblioteca Libre (free library) will be stored in old street lights that used to stand in the village. There are one hundred books of all genres which people will be able to take out, read and then return.

Councillor José Antonio Gallego explained: "The old street lights have been replaced by LED lighting, so we've decided to give them a new purpose." He said there will be six 'shelves' filled with books across the village, including at El Nacimiento, a public park commonly used for poetry recitals. Gallego added: "One of the shelves here will be filled with poetry books."

For the opening on Monday, the books were taken to the lights on a donkey called Pamela. Organisers are keen to get children involved in the initiative, coinciding with World Book Day this Friday (23 April).

Sites such as Paseo del Tilín will have reading spaces available to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this cultural initiative.