8/9/2011 Community groups can now set up online book sharing groups at very little cost, thanks to the free source code and advice that is being made available today by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA).
Bookshares give people an opportunity to share the books they own with other members of their community. Now the free to use code allows anyone, with a small amount of help from a web designer, to easily create their own community website where people can upload their books for others to view and borrow.
NESTA has created a short, fun animation which explains what a bookshare is, and how to set one up to make it as easy as possible for community groups, local authorities and even schools to create their own versions. Combined with making the code freely available, the aim is to ensure that thousands of books that are lying dormant in homes are made available for the wider benefit of the community.
The first bookshare using this code is already in operation. Sutton Council and web developer Adrian Short teamed up as part of a programme run by NESTA called 'Make it Local' which aimed to help local authorities maximise use of the data they hold to create innovative, web based services that benefit their community. The result was 'Sutton Bookshare' and NESTA is now sharing the learnings from this project - and the source code developed by Sutton Council and Adrian Short - with communities across the UK that want to follow suit.
Deborah Fox, programme manager at NESTA, says: 'Rather than letting our books just sit around collecting dust, bookshares are a great way for people to lend and share books that might not otherwise be available. We were delighted with the success of the Sutton Bookshare and by making the source code available and free for everyone to use, together with a 'how to' video, we hope to see community bookshares springing up across the country.'
To view the video and to download the code visit www.nesta.org.uk/bookshare
Ends
For further information please contact Jan Singleton on 020 7438 2606 or jan.singleton@nestaorg.uk
NESTA is the UK's foremost independent expert on how innovation can solve some of the country's major economic and social challenges. Its work is enabled by an endowment, funded by the National Lottery, and it operates at no cost to the government or taxpayer.
NESTA is a world leader in its field and carries out its work through a blend of experimental programmes, analytical research and investment in early-stage companies. www.nesta.org.uk
![Newsletter button [original]](http://admin.nesta.org.uk/library/images/Newsletter_icon_35x35.jpg "Newsletter button [original]"){kind=icon}
Get email updates about our work twice a month
![Twitter icon [original]](http://admin.nesta.org.uk/library/images/Twitter-button_34x35.jpg "Twitter icon [original]"){kind=small}
Follow our daily updates on Twitter @nesta_uk
![Facebook icon [original]](http://admin.nesta.org.uk/library/images/facebook.jpg "Facebook icon [original]"){kind=small}
Share your views on our Facebook page
![Linked in icon [original]](http://admin.nesta.org.uk/library/images/LinkedIn_button_34x35.jpg "Linked in icon [original]"){kind=small}
Take part in the discussion on our LinkedIn group
T +44 (0)20 7438 2500
F +44 (0)20 7438 2501
Nesta Operating Company, a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 7706036 and charity number 1144091. Registered as a charity in Scotland number SC042833.
