Bookyard: An Outdoor Library/ Art Installation by Massimo Bartolini

I love the idea of a community library where people can leave a book, take a book, or just peruse the shelves.  I love public libraries, don't get me wrong, but there is something about book ownership that makes life oh so sweet. 

On that note, I just came across this outdoor library on the design blog Colossal.  It's an art installation called Bookyard designed and built by Italian artist Massimo Bartolini for the Belgian art festival TRACK: A Contemporary City Conversation.   It resides on the grounds of St Peter's Abbey Vineyard, surrounded by grape vines and old trees.  At the Bookyard, you put a donation in a drop box and become the owner of whatever book suits your fancy. 

Bookyard is a temporary installation, ending on September 16, 2012.   It serves as a fundraiser for the public libraries of Ghent and Antwerp.  It is art meeting design meeting function meeting community.  It's beautiful.  I wish I have some vacation time coming up!