Top bookmarks for new library 'art project'
The NamelessleTTer project is a classy bit of frugal fun
In these dark economic days we're all grateful for a little extra, a bit of something for nothing, and when you next pick up a book from your local library or bookshop you might be getting just that.
Those who participate are asked to scan their homemade bookmarks and post them to the site before inserting them into their book of choice, and there are already several to be enjoyed.
They range from the simple - a yellow Post-It note on which is scrawled a drawing of a submarine with the words "… is the best song ever!" put inside a copy of The Beatles: The Biography - to the obtuse, which surely covers the piece of grid-lined paper covered with mathematical formulae which will no doubt confuse and possibly upset the next child to pick up that particular copy of Enid Blyton's Noddy.
Anyone picking up the NamelessleTTered copy of the High School Musical East High Yearbook might be given a reminder that not all schools are necessarily populated by the flawlessly beautiful by the black-and-white class photo from a 1960s establishment somewhere, complete with grumpy teachers in shapeless grey suits.
Describing itself as a "collaborative art project", the NamelessleTTer project aims to provide a surprise inside that book you've just procured, and they're not talking about a twist in the tale or the unexpected death of a character.
NamelessleTTer - the site is, suitably, run anonymously - wants to encourage people to create personalised bookmarks and insert them into books for other people to discover and enjoy.
It's perhaps a natural extension of Bookcrossing, where bibliophiles are encouraged to release their favourite volumes "into the wild" with inserted bookplates to allow the website to track them.
NamelessleTTer appears to be more philanthropic - simply brightening up the lives of the reader, or perhaps making them think a little.Those who participate are asked to scan their homemade bookmarks and post them to the site before inserting them into their book of choice, and there are already several to be enjoyed.
They range from the simple - a yellow Post-It note on which is scrawled a drawing of a submarine with the words "… is the best song ever!" put inside a copy of The Beatles: The Biography - to the obtuse, which surely covers the piece of grid-lined paper covered with mathematical formulae which will no doubt confuse and possibly upset the next child to pick up that particular copy of Enid Blyton's Noddy.
Anyone picking up the NamelessleTTered copy of the High School Musical East High Yearbook might be given a reminder that not all schools are necessarily populated by the flawlessly beautiful by the black-and-white class photo from a 1960s establishment somewhere, complete with grumpy teachers in shapeless grey suits.
And kudos to the wag who inserted a Photoshopped picture of a line-up of chorus girls holding letters spelling out Cheer Up!, with the legend "Only 359 pages to go!" into the doorstep-sized Lord of the Rings trilogy.
NamelessleTTer is in its infancy - only 23 bookmarks are currently listed on the site, but they have already cropped up at the National Library of France in Paris, Borders bookshop in New York, Pig's Wings Books in Queensland and the London Library. A Facebook page is also busy extending the international reach.
Sadly, the DIY magic of the idea is already being somewhat disenchanted. The Daily Telegraph has been writing about its commercial potential, and rather depressingly suggests it might be a good marketing tool for start-up businesses. And libraries in Essex, Yorkshire and Somerset began selling bookmarking advertising space as a "new channel" for direct marketing since 2007.
But until the day I buy a copy of Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation and a completely unironic flyer for the latest offer at McDonald's falls out, I'll be hopefully anticipating a little something extra in my reading matter, and might even put together a NamelessleTTer myself.
Any ideas, or your own NamelessleTTer contribution suggestions, will be gratefully received below.
No comments:
Post a Comment