Borderline Books NL

free books - free minds

About us

There are a number of organizations in Europe shipping books to countries in Africa, Asia, Surinam and the Antilles, but very few which collect overstocks and lightly damaged copies for distribution to vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the Netherlands.
We aim to reduce the number of books pulped and to provide free books for those who otherwise might not have adequate access to books for various reasons.

Borderline Books NL began in 2001 and is based in Leiden. Borderline Books is the main project of the Kittiwake Trust, a community voluntary organization and the legal body of this project.

The Boekenzolder (literally the Book Attic) is essentially a free second-hand bookshop , and is the most amazing, enormous space, crammed full of books! There is a great number of books - from brand new children´s picture books to beautiful old volumes of poetry. They have books in many languages, including a large English-language section. They are run by Borderline Books, which aims to bring books to people on the edges of society. However, it´s open to anyone, and you can also use it as a sort of library, which we do - just take some or all of the books back when you are done with them so others can enjoy them too!

Borderline Books collects unwanted books from publishers, libraries and individuals and redistributes them free of charge to refugees, former prisoners, victims of domestic violence, homeless people and others who have little or no access to books.
Many books come direct from publishers – frequently these are foreign language reading copies or slightly damaged books.
Other books come from individuals who are clearing their bookshelves.

Amina Marix Evans is the Contact Person and Founder of Borderline Books, the main project of the Kittiwake Trust, and Sjaak van Rijn is the Chairman of the Kittiwake Trust, a community voluntary organisation.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.