Papemelroti opens newest ‘Take a Book, Leave a Book’ station in SM Fairview.
Book-swapping continues to grow as a community reading practice with the opening of a new “Take a Book, Leave a Book” station at Papemelroti’s SM City Fairview branch on July 23.
The new station marks the eighth installation of the project since it was launched in 2024.
While mostly known for its trinkets and stationery products, the brand first established the “Take a Book, Leave a Book” project at its stand-alone branch in Quezon City.
Propped in a designated area inside the store, a “Take a Book, Leave a Book” cabinet allows visitors to browse through different genres and pick up a new read for free. In exchange, they are encouraged to drop off a book from their own collection.
Forming small community libraries along the way, the concept gives local bookworms a chance to discover new titles while sharing their own favorites, with no fees involved.
Aside from reducing the financial strain of book-buying, book swaps have also become a way to lessen environmental impact by promoting the reuse of second-hand copies instead of purchasing brand-new ones.
The stations are now available at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Manila, SM Southmall, SM North EDSA, the Roces Branch, UP Town Center, and, most recently, SM City Fairview.
In a Facebook post, Papemelroti also hinted at the opening of the next book-swapping station, though the branch has yet to be revealed.
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