'Free books' but not quite

@JudyEv (362728)
Rockingham, Australia
September 10, 2025 7:37pm CST
We’ve been away for a few days with Vince’s brother and his grandson. We visited two of the same museums that Vin and I visited on our last road trip. The grandson is about 14, on the autism spectrum and has ADHD. He couldn’t have been less trouble and is a delightful young man. He has a few ‘passions’ including coins, old books, and old cars and machinery so he really enjoyed visiting the two museums we went to. Both had a section of old books that you could buy for a donation. Our young friend spent ages choosing some books and was thrilled to get one published in the late 1800s. He likes to compare how instructions/manuals/information has changed over time. For me, I was pleased to get a photo of the sign on the books in the Wyalkatchem Museum. I missed doing so last time. There were very few cobwebs in this extensive museum and I didn't see a single spider.
10 people like this
10 responses
Anna
@LadyDuck (483300)
• Italy
11 Sep
We love books, we visit all the small free libraries in the area (the old phone booths have been used for that purpose). The rules are simple, you can take up to 4 books, but you have to leave 4 books that you have already read or that are no more of your interest.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (483300)
• Italy
11 Sep
@JudyEv - I left so many books in two of those cabins when we moved that I feel the right to get without leaving one now.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
We have these here too in all sorts of places. Mostly there are so many books that you don't really have to leave one if you don't have one with you.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Sep
@LadyDuck Twice now I've seen 'free libraries' in the space below park benches. One is near my sister's place. The books were in a heavy plastic bag.
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Kareng
@kareng (79526)
• United States
11 Sep
Yep, not free if you gotta leave a donation, although I bet some do not leave anything. Yay for no spiders!!
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Kareng
@kareng (79526)
• United States
22h
@JudyEv I would put one at my house, but my hubby would be against it with people stopping all the time.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
I think a gold coin or spare change just about rates as being free.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Sep
@kareng We have those here too. They are a great idea.
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DE
@DaddyEvil (159506)
• United States
11 Sep
You could have... politely... pointed out the lack of spiders/spiderwebs to the museum staff... Most young people, if you can get them away from their phone/tablet/laptop, are fun to talk with, especially if you can get them to talk about things they're interested in/passionate about.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
Museums used to be pretty dark and drearty but they all seem to have lifted their game lately.
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DE
@DaddyEvil (159506)
• United States
11 Sep
@JudyEv That's good to hear... I haven't been in a museum in ages. I hated all the dust and had problems the last time we were in one here. (I think that was because of all the stuffed animals we came across here, not necessarily the dust.)
1 person likes this
Anindita Sengupta
@aninditasen (17667)
• Raurkela, India
11 Sep
I can't read books now because of my eyes. I rather listen to YouTube and podcast.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Sep
I'm sorry you can't read now. Luckily you have other means of entertainment.
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Anindita Sengupta
@aninditasen (17667)
• Raurkela, India
12 Sep
@JudyEv Yes, that's what I am happy about.
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LindaOH
@LindaOHio (200515)
• United States
11 Sep
I'm glad all of you enjoyed the trip.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Sep
@LindaOHio Yes, it seems like it's back.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
Thanks. We need to spend next week at home but Vin and I may head off again after that.
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LindaOH
@LindaOHio (200515)
• United States
12 Sep
@JudyEv You're welcome. Got that wanderlust?
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Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (48328)
•
11 Sep
You would have had to pry me out of there. I LOVE old books. Sounds like a great time!
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
We were battling to get this lad to look at much else. He was very pleased with his purchases.
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Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (48328)
•
11 Sep
@JudyEv Sounds like a young man who knows just what he likes and wants!
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Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (54856)
• Canada
11 Sep
I would have been right there with him going through the books to discover something unique. I love the sign, I am sure that it stops many to shop.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
There were a lot of quirky signs in this museum. It all added to the pleasure of going there.
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Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (122250)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Sep
Love that sign. Glad he found a book
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
In the end he found four so he was very happy.
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Loretta
@noni1959 (10556)
• United States
11 Sep
The young man sounds so delightful. What a great find! Books from the late 1800's are so fascinating.
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Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
He didn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.
Traceyjayne
@Traceyjayne (5205)
• United Kingdom
11 Sep
The sign gets peoples attention so , after a chuckle , I’m sure most folk would see the fun element and make a donation. It’s great that the Grandson was able to find a book he was so interested in.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (362728)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Sep
It's only fair to pay something for these books, even if it's only a dollar.