Understand
Mousehole phone box transformed into community library and book exchange
Overview
A disused 1930s red telephone box in Mousehole, Cornwall, has been successfully transformed into a community library and book exchange. The project was led by local volunteers with funding from Penzance Town Council, after the structure was purchased from British Telecom for £1 through the 'Adopt a Kiosk' scheme.
Key points
- A classic red phone box on Chapel Street in Mousehole has been converted into a community library.
- The structure was bought from British Telecom two years ago for £1 by the charity Solomon Browne Hall.
- Stacia Smales Hill initiated the project, which began in September 2025 with a team of about 10 volunteers.
- The restoration project received funding from Penzance Town Council and featured a fresh coat of paint, new signage, and custom-built wooden shelves.
- The library operates on a book exchange system where visitors can take a book and either replace it or return it.