Book exchange takes off at Lehigh Valley International Airport

If you fly out of Lehigh Valley International Airport and forget a book, you will no longer have to resort to buying WiFi access or in-flight entertainment to keep yourself occupied.Through a partnership with the public libraries in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, LVIA this monthstocked a bookshelf in the Wilfred M. Post Departure Concourse, bringing a steady supply of books to the airport for the first time. Passengers can take a book from the shelf and return it at the airport when they finish it. “We focus on convenience and comfort for our passengers and we try to find unique ways to bring different amenities to the airport,” said Colin Riccobon, the airport’s spokesman, at an event introducing the initiative Friday. Before July 12, passengers could only pick up magazines as reading material at the airport’s gift shop.When a passenger arrives in a new location with a book from the exchange, they are encouraged to use the hashtag #ABEreads to share the book’s journey. Each book includes a sticker to remind readers of the hashtag.Jennifer Long, Easton Area Public Library executive director, said the airport approached her with the idea and she invited the other library directors. Each library receives book donations throughout the year, so they had plenty of extra books to give to the airport. The libraries stocked the shelves with a wide variety including children’s books and novels for adults.Unplugging from devices and escaping day-to-day activities is an important part of traveling, Long said.“Sometimes the best form of enjoyment is reading,” she said. “Traveling should be fun and enjoyable.”The directors will continue to stock the shelves as needed.Passengers were already peeking at the books while they were still in boxes on the floor. They flooded the scene once all the books were on shelves, eagerly looking through the titles. Judging by the exchange’s initial popularity, Long figures a restocking will be needed soon.Marilyn Price picked up “The Summer I Shrunk My Grandmother” by Elvira Woodruff for her grandchildren to read when she arrived home in Chicago. Price works with libraries in Chicago and took a picture of the book exchange to share with her colleagues. She said the exchange was a great idea, and would help keep her grandchildren engaged.“They can’t go on screens so what do they do?” Price said. “They read books.”Morning Call reporter Ashley Stalnecker can be reached at 610-820-6647 or astalnecker@mcall.com.
Source: Morningcall