The community benefits of second-hand book swaps in the UAE: 'You’re creating connections'
On any given day, Angela Hundal might have a handful of children outside her Arabian Ranches home. Not playing or loitering, but quietly perusing the titles on the bookcase by her front door before deciding which one to borrow for free. Hundal is one of more than 200,000 people across 128 countries who have set up a Little Free Library, the non-profit free book exchange started in Wisconsin in…
Angela Hundal, a senior editor and mother of two, recently set up a Little Free Library in her Arabian Ranches home in Dubai. The non-profit free book exchange, started in Wisconsin in 2009, allows people to "take a book, share a book" by borrowing a book and either returning it or swapping it for one of their own. Hundal's library is one of about six currently operating across the UAE, with similar initiatives present in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Hundal, inspired by seeing others set up their own Little Free Libraries on Instagram, decided to create her own after moving to Arabian Ranches in 2024. She bought a small bookcase from Ikea and filled it with children's and adult books, emphasizing the "swap" aspect to keep the selection fresh. The library is open 24/7 and has attracted a variety of readers, including teenagers looking for books in their age group.
Hundal dresses up the library for cultural events, such as Diwali, Ramadan, and Christmas, creating connections with the community. She has also involved neighborhood children in helping tidy and sort the books, although they are now in their early teens. Hundal feels that setting up the library has created connections among people, with just one person coming by a day being the measure of success.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
