Basecamp – Gear Up For The Journey
Before you step beyond the edge, make sure you have what you need.
This is your basecamp—the place to gather tools, download guides, and prepare to set stories free. Whether you’re releasing your first book or coordinating a city- wide activation, everything you need to walk with confidence starts here.
Choose your path. Grab your gear. Step off the edge.
Essential Gear
For Everyone Setting Books Free
These are the basics—what every participant needs to register books, write reflections, and track journeys.
Start here if you’re new, or grab what you need and go.
Quick Start Guide
Your First 5 Minutes
New to The Open Sidewalk Project? This guide walks you through everything:
- How to choose which book to set free
- Registering your book (step-by-step)
- Creating your BookCrossing ID and QR code
- Writing your first Sidewalk Reflection
- Where to set it free
What You’ll Learn
- The 4-step rhythm: Discover. Reflect. Set Free. Mark the Moment.
- How tracking works (QR codes and BookCrossing IDs)
- Best practices for setting books free
- What to expect when others find your book
Perfect for:
First-time participants, people who want to understand the process before committing.
Brand Gear
Media, Promotional & Identity Assets
Whether you’re a volunteer creating local content, a partner promoting the movement, or media covering the story—here’s everything you need to represent The Open Sidewalk Project accurately and beautifully
Logo and Brand Assets
Official Logo Pack
Use our logo to show you’re part of the movement—on your website, in presentations, on signage, or in promotional materials.
What’s Included:
- Primary logo (full color, grayscale, white)
- Secondary logo variations
- Icon/symbol only (for small sizes) File formats: PNG, SVG, EPS, PDF
- Logo usage guidelines (dos and don’ts)
- Color palette (hex, RGB, CMYK)
- Typography specifications
Usage rules
Use to show partnership/participation Maintain clear space around logo Use provided colors (don’t alter)
❌Don’t stretch, distort, or recolor
❌Don’t use for commercial products without permission
Social Media Graphics
Pre-Made Graphics for Sharing
Make the movement visible online. These graphics are sized correctly for each platform and ready to post.
What’s Included:
- Instagram
- Feed posts (1080×1080)
- Stories (1080×1920)
- Carousel templates
- Facebook
- Post images (1200×630)
- Cover photo (820×312)
- Event graphics
- Twitter/X
- Post images (1200×675)
- Header image (1500×500)
- LinkedIn
- Post images (1200×627)
- Cover photo (1584×396)
- Editable Templates
- Canva templates (requires free Canva account)
- PowerPoint templates (edit text, add photos)
- Themes
- “I set a book free” announcement
- “I found a book” discovery post
- “Join the movement” recruitment
- Book journey highlights
- Sidewalk Reflection quotes
- Statistics and impact
Press Kit
For Media, Journalists & Storytellers
Everything media needs to cover The Open Sidewalk Project accurately and compellingly.
What’s Included:
Core materials
- Press release (editable template)
- Fact sheet (one-page overview)
- Founder bio (S. Bobby Alexander)
- Founder statement (philosophy and vision)
- Movement timeline and milestones
Media Assets
- High-resolution photos (book releases, participants, stations)
- B-roll video clips (if available)
- Logo pack (print and web)
- Infographics (how it works, impact stats)
Bookplate Labels
Print Your Own Labels
Every book needs a label with its unique BookCrossing ID and QR code so finders can log Sidewalk Reflections and track the journey.
What’s Included
- Label
- Instructions for printing
- QR code generator request form
How To Use
- Register your book at BookCrossing.com (or through our system)
- Get your unique ID
- Download and Print Release kit instructions.
Writing Sidewalk Reflections
Leave Your Mark
A Sidewalk Reflection is what you leave when you discover a book—or when you set one free. It’s how stories connect across distance and time. This guide helps you write reflections that matter.
What’s in the guide
- What makes a good Sidewalk Reflection
- Reflection prompts to get you started
- Examples from real participants
- What NOT to write (privacy, safety considerations)
- How reflections create the archive of a book’s journey
Sample Prompts
- Where did you find this book, and where is it going next?
- What did this story mean to you at this moment?
- Why did you choose to set this book free?
- What do you hope happens to this book?
Perfect for:
Anyone writing their first reflection, educators creating assignments, book clubs coordinating group reflections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions Answered
- What if I don’t have a printer for labels?
- Can I handwrite the BookCrossing ID instead?
- What if no one ever finds my book?
- Is it okay to set books free in libraries?
- Can I track books I didn’t set free?
- What if someone doesn’t log a Sidewalk Reflection?
- Are there books I shouldn’t set free (condition, content)?
Gear by Pathway
Specialized Toolkits for Your Role
Choose the toolkit that matches how you’re participating. Each one includes role- specific guides, templates, and resources to help you succeed.
Sidewalk Librarian Basecamp
For Volunteer Coordinators & Community Curators
Sidewalk Librarians are the connective tissue of the movement—helping others find courage to set books free, coordinating local partnerships, and keeping stories in motion in their communities.
Sidewalk Librarian Toolkit
Getting Started
- Role definition and expectations
- Time commitment guidelines (flexible)
- Your first 30 days as a Sidewalk Librarian
- Setting up your local presence
Community Coordination
- How to identify and approach Sidewalk Stations
- Partnership templates for cafés, bookstores, businesses
- Coordination with educators and librarians in your area
- Working with Little Free Library stewards
- Connecting with other Sidewalk
Librarians
Sidewalk Station Basecamp
For Cafés, Businesses & Gathering Spaces
Become an “in-between stop” where books rest briefly before continuing their journey. Zero cost, zero overhead—just a small space where stories can pause.
Sidewalk Station Toolkit
Setup Guide
- Where to place books (shelf, basket, windowsill, counter)
- How much space
you need (answer: not much!) - Display best practices
- Safety and maintenance
considerations
Signage
- Sidewalk Station sign (weatherproof, print-ready)
- Window cling with QR code
- Table tent for counter/tables
- Instruction card for visitors
- “Take, Read, Set Free” stickers
Visitor Communication
- How to explain the project to customers
- Simple talking points for
staff - FAQ for business owners
- Handling questions gracefully
Promotion
- Social media announcement templates
- How we’ll promote your station
- Getting featured on our interactive map
- Co-branded content opportunities
- Local press announcement template
Book Club Basecamp
For Reading Groups of All Kinds
Turn your next group read into a traveling library. Instead of your discussion ending when the book closes, each member sets their copy free—creating a constellation of the same story, each traveling its own path.
Book Club Toolkit
The Book Club Challenge
- How it works (everyone reads, reflects, releases)
- Group coordination worksheet
- Tracking map for your club’s releases
- “Whose book travels
farthest?” competition guide
Discussion Enhancement
- Pre-release discussion: “What makes this book worth setting free?”
- Post-release discussion: “Imagining where it might go”
- Reading questions that lead
to reflection writing - Connecting themes to the act of letting go
Reflection Writing
- Group reflection prompts
- Individual reflection prompts
- How to make each member’s reflection unique
- Examples from other book clubs
Little Free Library Basecamp
For LFL Stewards & Charter Owners
Your Little Free Library is already a community treasure. Joining The Open Sidewalk Project adds the ability to track book journeys beyond your neighborhood—turning local circulation into global connection.
Little Free Library Toolkit
Hybrid Station Setup
- How the hybrid model works (LFL + Sidewalk Station)
- Signage installation guide
- Inside-the-library instructions for visitors
- How to seed your LFL with
registered books - Managing both local circulation and traveling books
Signage & Materials
- Sidewalk Station sign (weatherproof, printable)
- Laminated instruction card for inside LFL
- Window cling with QR code
- “Take, Read, Set Free” stickers
Visitor Communication
- Simple instructions for people who find registered books
- How to encourage (not require) Sidewalk Reflections
- Balancing “take a book, leave a book” with “take and set free”
- Language for your LFL social media/ newsletter
Author Basecamp
For Writers Supporting the Movement
You understand better than anyone: stories are meant to be shared beyond certainty. Support the movement through simple advocacy—a link on your website, a mention in your newsletter, a post on social media.
Author Advocacy Toolkit
Website Integration
- Badge/button graphics (3 sizes, multiple styles)
- Sample website language (short, medium, long)
- HTML code snippets (copy/paste ready)
- Placement recommendations (About, Links, Footer)
Social Media Assets
- Pre-written posts for all platforms (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook,
LinkedIn) - Social media graphics (Stories, Feed posts, Banners)
- Hashtags and tagging
guide - Example posts from other authors
Newsletter Content
- Email newsletter blurb (customizable)
- Newsletter banner graphic
- Sample newsletter section
- Email signature addition
Podcast/Interview Content
- Brief mention script (30 seconds)
- Deeper explanation script
(2 minutes) - Interview talking points
- How to naturally integrate into book discussions
Author Release Program Info
- Waitlist sign-up (for future indie author releases)
- What the program will include
- Early access benefits
- Pilot participant opportunities
Perfect for…
- Published authors (trad and indie)
- Writing bloggers and book reviewers
- Literary influencers
- Anyone with an author platform wanting to support literacy
Community Organization Basecamp
We are developing content for this role.
Sponsor Basecamp
We are developing content for this role.
Public Librarian Basecamp
We are developing content for this role.
Educator & Teacher Basecamp
We are developing content for this role.