What is Sunshine Coast Lookforabook ?
A free outdoor game for children that encourages them to look for books in local parks and public places.
When books are found, children and families can read the book and re-hide for others to find. The associated Facebook group shows where books are hidden, by the volunteers that hide them, and shows photos of children that find them.
Who runs Sunshine Coast Lookforabook?
The game was launched by Alex Street Library and is supported by the Sunshine Coast Street Libraries network.
It started on the Coast as a way of getting children’s books out of the street libraries and into places where children are more likely to visit. However, the game is really run by the members of the Facebook group who hide books. The game continues through members sharing photos of where books are hidden, as clues for children to find them.
Can anyone take part in the game?
Yes – Absolutely. The game is free, open to everyone, and there is no need to register. It’s a game for children, supported by the community. Anyone can look for books, and anyone can hide them. You will need to join our Facebook group, though, to be able to share photos of where you have hidden books.
How can I take part?
By following our Facebook group to find out when books are hidden in a local park near you, and taking your children to find them.
Also by hiding books in a local park, such as one listed on this site, at any time, and sharing a photo in our Facebook group to show others where they have been hidden.
What types of books are hidden?
We recommend hiding pre-loved books rather than new books, as this encourages re-use.
Where did the idea come from?
Lookforabook was created overseas and is based on a similar initiative for general fiction etc, called Bookcrossing. We have adapted the idea by making it just for children’s books, involving local parks and organising regular “big drops” to expand the number of locations and volume of books hidden on a particular day.
Does the Council know about it?
Yes, and in fact Sunshine Coast Council supports us, and have given us small grants over the previous years to help cover our costs of running it – photocopying notes and purchasing bags.
What are Big Drops?
Big Drops are our special events where lots of volunteers hide books in many parks across the coast all on the same day, sharing photos in our group of the parks and where the books are hidden.
We held our first Big Drop on November 2nd, 2019. Due to Covid, we haven’t held another since January, 2020, but hope to start them again soon.
How do you control the number of books left in parks so that it doesn’t become a form of littering?
We encourage people to leave no more than 5 books at one time in the same park. This also keeps the game exciting. And the day after the books have been left, we ask people to do a quick check to confirm they have been found, and re-hide those that haven’t been.
Why are you using plastic bags for the books ?
We use zip lock bags to keep the books clean and dry. We encourage finders to reuse these bags when hiding the books again.
If my child finds a book, do they have to re-hide it?
No, not unless they wish to. If they would like to keep the book they find, that’s great. We simply encourage them to hide a different book and share info about where they’ve hidden it, for another child to find.
Can books be re-hidden outside the Sunshine Coast?
Yes, anywhere they are taken to. It’s great to see photos of how far some of the books have travelled to be rehidden.
I have some books to donate for the game. How can I get them to you?
You can leave them at Alex Street Library at any time.
Can we also hide adults books?
The game is mainly for children. If you have adults fiction books to donate or hide, the street librarians would happily take them off your hands.