“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,” said Jojen.

“The man who never reads lives only one.”

―     George R.R. Martin,   A Dance with Dragons

From the Recreational Reading Book – Exchange District Campus Library

At first glance it seems a Recreational Reading Book Exchange located in an academic library might cause some confusion.  There are already books therefore why have a place for potboilers, romances, and fantasy?  Besides already drawing you into the library after noticing book four in A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Marin, why not stay for the crash-course on how to search a database at the reference desk.  It’s not an outlandish idea, in fact many colleges and universities have developed their own leisure reading programs for students.

While Red River finds itself only minutes from the Millennium Library, some students may not be eligible for a library card.  If time is tight, money for students feels even tighter, to the point that $12.99 paperback looks like a splurge.  For others, myself included, it’s a case of books taking up space in personal libraries.  Perhaps it’s time to part with a copy, and hope it ends up as someone’s latest discovery.  The Recreational Reading Book Exchange may fulfill all those needs, and also enhances academic achievement in ways like:

• increase your reading skills
• increase vocabulary
• help your writing skills
• broaden reading horizons and cultural literacy

(-From Library Stocks Up on Leisure Reading, University of Guelph)

Some comfy places to sit
Periodical Reading Room,John and Bonnie Buhler Library, Exchange District Campus

On April 24th the library solicited donations as part of the Red River College EcoFair proving donating gently used books also helps support the environment as well.  However, we take donations year round at both campuses, in any genre, for that one moment a reader wants a break from textbooks for a quick trip to New York, Northern Ontario, or Westeros.

Related Reading

At Your Leisure: Establishing a Popular Reading Collection at UBC Library
by Bailey Diers & Shannon Simpson

Why Your Academic Library Needs a Popular Reading Collection Now More Than Ever
By Pauline Dewan (EBSChost Database-Login Required)