Continuation of the book life cycle with an urban event
Taktem Najafimanash, Director of Library Affairs at the Tehran Municipality Cultural and Artistic Organization, announced the holding of the second “Hand-to-Hand Book Exchange” event during an interview with a reporter from the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA). She stated that this event, aimed at exchanging read books among citizens, will be held on Thursday (December 17th) on Keshavarz Boulevard, between Palestine Street and Naderi Street, with the participation of book lovers.
She added that the main objective of this event is to continue the life cycle of the book. The idea is for each participant to pass on a good book they have read to another reader, so that the book continues to be read and maintains its influence.
Referring to school and university books, she explained: “Many books are no longer useful to their owner after completing a stage of education, whereas the same book can be essential for someone else; for example, a student changing grades or a university entrance exam applicant who no longer needs test books after being accepted into university. These books meet someone else’s needs, especially given the rising cost of buying books.”
The Director of Library Affairs at the Tehran Municipality Cultural and Artistic Organization emphasized the environmental aspects of the event, stating: “Reusing books shows respect for the environment and nature, but unfortunately, in some cases, books are sold as waste after use.”
Najafimanash also considered the “Hand-to-Hand” event an opportunity for social interaction among book lovers. She added: “This event provides a platform for meeting, talking, and exchanging ideas among book enthusiasts. In the previous round, one of the participating teenagers had written a note on all his books saying: ‘I have read this book, now it’s your turn.’ This incident demonstrates the positive cultural impact of such events.”
Finally, she invited all citizens to participate in this event, even if they only have one book at home that they can pass on to another person. She said: “We hope that with the presence of citizens on the verge of Yalda Night, we can experience a book-focused Yalda together and give the city a book-centered appearance.”
Najafimanash also named students as special target audiences for this event and continued: “Given the importance of university books and students’ need for these resources, we would be happy if students also attended this event to exchange their books with each other.”
