Selfridges to open in-store library (UK)

Selfridges is putting the shh... into shopping - by opening its own 15,000-book library. At a time when many libraries are under threat, the department store has opened a pop-up branch for the next seven weeks. It will run for the duration of the store-wide Words Words Words event, which is a celebration of the printed word. Four publishers - Penguin, Taschen, Faber and Thames And Hudson - have worked with the Oxford Street shop to curate the section, located in its basement Ultralounge area. Although the temporary nature of the library means visitors will be unable to take the books away, they can use the 3,500 sq ft space as a reading room and as a bookstore. They can also listen to audio books at listening posts, and read works on iPads. Celebrities including Miranda Hart, Thandie Newton and Sophie Dahl have also given visitors an insight into their favourite books