Westgate Oxford is set to host its first ever book swap in celebration of World Book Day.
Taking place across two weekends in March, the event invites guests to bring in their old books and exchange them for others.
From 9am to 8pm on both March 2 and 9, and 11am to 6pm on both March 3 and 10, guests may participate in the book swap.
It will be situated at the Guest Services Desk, on the Upper Mall footbridge between TK Maxx and Pandora.
Participants are able to donate any book in good condition and then select one from the donated collection.
Books covering all genres and age ranges will be accepted.
The event is organised in partnership with Westgate Oxford’s Blackwell’s store.
The store will donate new, unused books to initiate the donation bank.
Additionally, lucky guests will be presented with £10 Blackwell’s vouchers by the centre's staff to use at the Westgate Oxford branch.
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A total of £1,000 worth of vouchers will be handed out.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Westgate Library is also teaming up with Westgate Oxford.
A variety of books from the library’s collection will be contributed to the book swap.
Centre director at Westgate Oxford, Brendan Hattam, said: "We're thrilled to be celebrating World Book Day 2024 by hosting our first ever book swap.
"At Westgate Oxford, we're committed to providing experiences that not only make a positive contribution to our community but also enhance guest experience.
“It’s great to be able to launch a free-to-participate event that gives new life to old books, but also engages the local community with the joy of reading and Oxford’s very own bookstore, Blackwell’s.”
Other events in honour of World Book Day will take place across the weekends.
There will be a blind book swap, where the book titles will be concealed with only the genre and age ranges provided.
Additionally, book recommendation tickets to help readers choose a suitable book and free children’s activity packs, with activity sheets and crayons, will be available.
Senior retail manager at Blackwells, Kate Stilborn, said: "The mission of World Book Day is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.
"Blackwell's are delighted to work with Westgate to spread the joy of books and reading within our great city of Oxford."
Any books remaining unclaimed at the end of the event will be donated to local schools and charities.
Any damaged books will be recycled.
For additional details, visit the Westgate Oxford website.
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