BookCrossing is the “releasing” of books on benches, in cafes, at hot spots, etc. The idea of BC was conceived from the desire of bibliophiles to combine literature with adventure and selflessness. Within this context, we thought it would be beneficial for the NTUA Library & Information Center to become a new hot spot in Athens. Today, the Library operates as an Official Book Release Zone which located on the main floor of the Central Library Building, Zografou Campus.
Each book has a code number (BCID), which enables the user, by entering the site www.BookCrossing.com, to be informed about its circulation information. Registration on the site is simple, free and optional. After a book has been read, it is released again to travel. In more detail:
BookCrossing in a few words What is BookCrossing? BookCrossing is about “releasing” books in coffee shops, on benches, etc. and then electronically monitoring their journey as they pass from one reader to another. This is done through the www.bookCrossing.com website. Seriously; And when did this start? The idea of BookCrossing was “conceived” in March 2001 and a few weeks later, the site was a reality. The media discovered it, resulting in more and more articles being written and the community of librarians ever growing.
Who are these…“book liberators”? The last count there were over a million registered BookCrossers and more than 8,500,000 recorded books. BookCrossers are people of all ages, genders and nationalities. BookCrossing have members in over 170 countries, even in…Antarctica! The majority of them, of course, are in the USA. However, the number of Europeans is constantly increasing. Books have no borders and often when they are “released” they make transatlantic journeys…
Ok…How is it done? BookCrossers register books on the website so that each book has its own code number (BCID number). With this code, the book is “marked” (either handwritten or with a special label). Using this code n the website www.BookCrossing.com, anyone who finds a “released” book can find out who released it, read their comments and see where else it has traveled. BookCrossers can also write their own opinion in the electronic “diary” letting other BookCrossers know that the book is safe. Then after reading it (or not), it should be released again for travel, for example, accidently left in a cafe, at a school, on a park bench or it can also give it to a friend or acquaintance.
Why do they do that? BookCrossing combines adventure, selflessness and literature in a unique blend that book lovers find irresistible. The resemblance to messages in bottles and notes tied to balloons brings to mind fond childhood memories. BookCrossing can be considered one big global, open library.
Do I have to part with my favorite books? Yes and no. Sometimes there are books that someone reads once and then forgets about and tosses it in a corner or ones that they do not want to throw away even if they are not “collectible” pieces. Books like these are the ones that need to be “released” and shared with the rest of the world.
The website: www.BookCrossing.com. The website is now also available in Greek and it has various forums in several different languages and of course also in Greek. In these forums BookCrossers can discuss and help each other. If you find a book, you don’t have to write in English in its “diary”, Greek will do just fine. Registration on the site is FREE. You give your email and a password and on the website you appear only with a nickname that you choose. Your email is never displayed anywhere on the site (usually no one finds out, so you won’t get spam). On the site you give your books BCID codes and it will appear where and when they were released or when they will be released. By doing this, BookCrossers can go on a safari…trying to find them. In “Go Hunting” you can see which books have been released so you can “hunt them down”.
Greeks: We are over 7,500 registered members throughout the country. You can meet some of us in the Greek forum of the site (www.bookcrossing.com/forum/28) or find us in the facebook group. Also, we have made a Greek “Travel Guide” with instructions for Bookcrossing in Greek http://bookcrossing.travel.guide.infinitecircus.gr/. Finally, we have organized nationwide conferences: The 8th Greek BookCrossing Conference which took place in Skyros 6/28-30/2013 and The Anniversary World Bookcrossing Conference took place in Athens with BookCrossers from all over the world in April 2016.
Books want to travel freely…
