MANGOTSFIELD now has its own mini-library where people can borrow and donate books.
The new book exchange has been mounted on the side of the public toilet building in the St James Street car park, opposite the church.
It is the result of a joint project involving Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council, Mangotsfield Residents Association, Downend Men in Sheds and South Gloucestershire Council, which owns the building.
Deputy parish clerk Colette Lewis suggested the idea to Mangotsfield Residents Association, and found that the association had already looked into the concept, as Mangotsfield is some distance away from the libraries in Staple Hill and Downend.
The idea of a book exchange is that people can freely borrow books from the unit, and also donate books they have finished with and would like others to read.
Colette said: “We looked at several options around the village for accessibility, ownership and visibility, and the toilet block fit the bill.
“The full parish council agreed the proposal and Councillor Ian Boulton recommended Downend Men in Sheds to make the structure.”
The volunteer group set to work and created the unit, complete with shelves, plus a roof and doors to keep the books dry.
Men in Sheds vice-chair John Lockwood said: “When we are asked to produce items at Downend Men in Sheds, we have come to expect some items that we have not done before.
“With any new venture, we have to learn new things (timber preservation, and fire-retardant finishes for example). Every day is a school day, as they say!”
Mangotsfield Residents Association chair Clive Heath cut the ribbon to officially open the ‘little library’ in April.
He said: “We’d like to thank the parish council for providing this facility.
“The MRA will continue to work together with the parish council on behalf of the community.
“It is being well used already!”