July 4, 2019 - “So many books, so little time,” Frank Zappa once said, and with this new initiative on Bačvice beach by the Split City Library 'Marko Marulić', we would agree. 

Do you finally have the time to dig into a good book this summer? Or are you one of many whose days sunbathing at the beach is not complete without a book in hand? Whether you belong to these categories or not, we think you’ll still be pretty impressed by the latest gesture from the Marko Marulić City Library in Split.

Namely, this Split institution kept the city’s book worms to heart, and on Thursday, mounted free book stations named the “Little Free Library" at two locations on the popular Bačvice beach. They’re not hard to spot, either, and will catch your attention thanks to their flashy red and blue and white striped design. 

The painted cabinet, which resembles an emergency post or call box, is really just an outdoor bookshelf. 

“Enjoy a good book with the sun and the sea! These small libraries are free of charge bookcases for anyone who wants to read. They work on the principle of 'take a book, leave a book', so that anyone can take a book, read it, return it, and add their own book if desired. Without membership fees, without it being overdue, and with working hours every day of the year, day and night,” said the Marko Marulić City Library.

This free library project was supported by the City of Split and Bačvice Beach d.o.o. and aims to encourage the people of Split and their guests to read and exchange books. But you must not forget the golden rule: Take a book, bring a book, treasure the book!

While these free libraries certainly service tourists in Split this summer, we can only hope to spot more red bookcases outside of Split’s busy city beaches and in areas where locals will be pushed to put down their mobile phones and opt to get their heads deep into a good book instead.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

The exhibition hall of the Split City Library of Marko Marulić opens with an exhibition by Miro Župa titled "Raznol i kosti" (Miscellaneous and Bones). The exhibition is now open and will run through September 29.