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The Long Beach Book Swap. Photo by Priscella Vega.<\/em><\/p>\n Two years ago Cindi Young decided to thin out her collection of books, but instead of simply donating them to Goodwill, she was inspired to pay it forward.<\/p>\n Young set up a table of books outside her house on Seventh Street and Cherry. She called it the “Cherry Avenue Book Swap.” Within a couple of weeks, Young had to use a three-tiered bakers rack and changed the name to the “Long Beach Neighborhood Book Swap.”<\/p>\n Young said the idea stemmed from the free-box she saw around her neighborhood. She said a guy had a closet where he would leave clothes among other things and people were encouraged to do the same. <\/p>\n When it initially began, Young said there wasn’t a need for a Facebook page because of a bus stop and a 7-11 near her apartment. The amount of foot traffic had Young going out periodically throughout the day to re-stock more books. At one point, she said someone had even offered her vegetarian beans as a trade-off. <\/p>\n Two years since it first began, the Long Beach Neighborhood Book Swap changed locations. Young’s close friend, Christina Ashley, now uses her home as the destination.<\/p>\n “I moved and sold my house, so I asked Christina if she would take over the book swap,” Young said. “We’ve been good friends for a few years and she donated books from the get go, so I asked her. I didn’t want to see it die because it’s been so great for my community, and it’s been so good for her neighborhood, too.”<\/p>\n With the initial change, regulars from the book swap voiced concerns.<\/p>\n “People were asking, ‘Where is it? Where did it go?’ People expect it to be out.” Young said. “When it was at my house it became a part of people’s routine. There was a couple that would walk their dogs three times a day and would stop by each time. I told them there wasn’t going to be a difference in what they saw at 8:00AM but they said they didn’t care.”<\/p>\n While Young initially had a difficult time parting with her books, Ashley is far from an avid reader. She said the fun of the book swap is getting to know her community. <\/p>\n “We have our regulars that stop by. Sometimes we put out all the books, and other times we wont,” Ashley said. “We have people from throughout the neighborhood that stop by and we’ve met a lot of people. Everyone loves it.”<\/p>\n Tucked in-between 7th Street and Stanley Avenue now sits a a cart with three shelves inundated with books of all genres. Alongside the cart sits three other baskets that carry children’s books. A sign reads “Long Beach Neighborhood Book Swap” and sets the basic rule: Take a book, bring in another book or swap it for another. <\/p>\n Ashley sets up at 7:00AM and takes the cart back inside at 7:00PM. She lays down some blankets for children, specifically for her neighbor’s kids who enjoy perusing the shelves for hours on end. And occasionally she’ll hang snacks off the bookshelf, too. <\/p>\n Even when Ashley goes out of town, she gives her neighbors the key to garage to put out the book swap. Ashley said the only day the book rack won’t come out is when it rains. Some of her neighbors are surprised with Ashley’s consistency and dedication to the book swap. Ashley has even been offered money in exchange for a book, but she reminds them of the only rule. <\/p>\n Some passersby are cautious to take a book, sometimes looking around for a camera in case it’s a setup. That’s when Ashley usually steps outside and quells their fears. Many are surprised to know people actually donate a lot of books; The Molina Foundation alone donated 26 boxes. Young said there are usually two types of regulars: those that solely donate books, those that solely take books. There isn’t ever a surplus or a lack of books for the swap, because it eventually balances out. In that way, the book swap isn’t too different than a library visit.<\/p>\n Ashley’s neighbors had planned visits to libraries, but instead now go over to the book swap. Young and Ashley credit the book swap’s success to the spontaneity of it. Young said she also views it as something that represents Long Beach.<\/p>\n “Long Beach loves community based events and the book swap can be considered Long Beach in a nutshell,” Young said. “It’s a community effort to bring something to the neighborhoods and it’s kind of something this city represents.” <\/p>\n With the success the book swap has received, Young may take the book swap a step further. Ideas of a book van and helping others start their own book swaps are only a few of the thoughts that have crossed Young’s mind. <\/p>\n “It’s taken a life of its own. I want to put it on a bigger level, but I don’t really know how it’ll look or how to do it,” Young said. “I just don’t know how to take that idea and make it happen. I have a van, but it won’t be organized enough and it needs to have a set purpose.” <\/p>\n