"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library! This famous phrase by Argentinian writer Borjes adorns the openair swapping libraries that have appeared in Athens streets in the last six months.

The idea and design for these open, public exchange libraries belongs to young architects Lefteris Ambatzis and Irini-Emilia Ioannidou. The two architects funded their project privately and delivered the first library at the suburb of Kifissia in June 2012. Since then, two more have been added, one of which at the steps of the Onassis Foundation. Novels, essays, and even children’s books and toys can be found at their selves, open to anyone to borrow or leave a book.