Twenty-thousand drifting books were distributed to more than a dozen locations yesterday, where people can borrow them for free as long as they eventually drop them off in one of the borrowing centers for others to read.

The books are part of the city's first "bookcrossing" program, which was officially launched in Putuo District yesterday, based on a book exchange scheme in the United States.

The books were placed on the shelves in 10 libraries, several public places like the Caoyang Film Center, and charity supermarkets as well as district government buildings, according to the Putuo Library, which is organizing the program.

Readers can take a book home and pass it on to another stranger after finishing it by leaving it in a designated public place. They can also donate more books to the program by dropping them off at one of the 10 libraries taking part, according to Si Ying, the district library director.

All 20,000 of the books made available yesterday were donated, and mainly are not books one would often find in the library, such as teaching materials.

"They are useful, but those who need them might not go to the library," said Si. He said the program is also environmentally friendly as it is a good way to recycle books.

All of the books are labeled the symbol of the program, a green dandelion, and the words: "I am a drifting book, I'd like to meet friends who like reading and I hope you can help me continue my drifting."

A list of places to return the book is also listed inside the cover.

A registration form is also pasted inside the books, and those who pick it up can choose to leave their names and contact information to talk to others who have read the book.

Officials with the Putuo Library say they are also considering setting up a Website to promote the program.

(Shanghai Daily December 6, 2005)