Stradower Book Scale
In Stradow, a neighborhood of Vetschau, books aren’t weighed(!) on the scale, as the sign on the little hut might suggest—you get them at(!) the scale. The small building, which dates back to the GDR era and is currently hardly used at all, stood practically empty and was a prime candidate for an alternative use. Sibylle Martschei and Inge Behnke took up the idea—which had been suggested at a Women’s Day celebration in 2024—to create a space for exchanging books. This should be enjoyed not only by locals but also by vacationers.
Ideas are always easy to come by, but putting them into practice requires a great deal of energy and perseverance. With the support of the Stradow Heritage Association and numerous other supporters from the village, the two women managed to renovate the old weigh house for this purpose. A great deal of time and effort had to be spent navigating the approval process. The local heritage association entered into a usage agreement with the owner, the town of Vetschau, initially limited to five years.
Getting the books was then a piece of cake, because many families were now willing and able to downsize their collections or trade in a book or two this way. The children from the nearby playground, in particular, keep peeking into the little house to see what new book—or even game—is available. Sibylle Martschei and Inge Behnke take turns on a weekly basis, opening up in the morning, closing up in the evening, and making sure everything is in order. “At first, we were worried about vandalism, such as graffiti and damage, but so far we’ve been pleasantly surprised—let’s hope it stays that way,” says Inge Behnke.
Visitors to the Bücherwaage also learn about how the little house works. Sibylle Martschei: “We’ve posted informational signs explaining how it works, along with a note asking people not to use the scale, since it’s still needed from time to time.” Vacationers cycling to the Stradow Ponds, in particular, like to get off their bikes here and browse through books in the shade of the old oak trees.
Peter Becker, July 11, 26
