In celebration of World Book Day 2024, Westgate Oxford has announced that it will be hosting its first ever book swap.
On Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March, guests will be able to take part in a book swap which will be located at the Guest Services Desk, on the footbridge on the Upper Mall between TK Maxx and Pandora. To participate, they can donate any book in good condition before choosing one from the selection. The book swap will be accepting titles that cover all genres and ages.
The book swap is in collaboration with Westgate Oxford’s Blackwell’s store, who will be donating new and unused books to start off the bank of donations. What’s more, the centre’s staff will be handing out £1,000 worth of £10 Blackwell’s vouchers for some lucky guests to spend at the Westgate Oxford store.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Westgate Library will also be partnering with Westgate Oxford for World Book Day and will be donating a selection of books to the book swap.
Throughout both weekends, the centre will be hosting additional activities to celebrate World Book Day including a blind book swap, where the book covers will be hidden but the genre and age tips will be included to help guests choose. Also, book recommendation tickets will be available to help readers choose the most suitable book to match their reading tastes. Free activity packs will also be on offer for children, including activity sheets and crayons.
Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, commented: “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.”
Kate Stilborn, Senior Retail Manager at Blackwells, 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.”
All books that are unclaimed at the end of the book swap will be donated to local schools and charities. Any books that are damaged will be recycled.
The book swap will be taking place between 9am and 8pm on Saturday 2nd and 9thMarch, and 11am – 6pm on Sunday 3rd and 10th March.
For more information, please visit westgateoxford.co.uk
