The Open Sidewalk Project
A Global Literary Movement That Anyone Can Join
Where Books Become Journeys
The Open Sidewalk Project is a worldwide literary experiment created by author S. Bobby Alexander to prove one simple idea: stories don’t end when the book closes—they continue when shared.
Every book released into the world carries its own quiet question: Who might this story reach next?
Through wild releases (left for strangers to find) or direct releases (given as gifts), each book becomes part of a living network of stories that travel hand to hand—creating connection through curiosity, not commerce.
Open by Design
Participation in The Open Sidewalk Project is free, simple, and open to everyone. There’s no cost, no subscription, and no required materials beyond a book you already love. You can:
- Register a book to receive a unique BookCrossing ID (BCID)
- Download a free Release Kit (includes printable label and message card)
- Leave the book somewhere public—a park bench, café, library shelf, or community corner
- Watch the story travel as others log reflections and re-release it again
The project builds on the foundation of BookCrossing’s global system—a community of 1.1 million members across 132 countries—but extends the idea further: emphasizing reflection and creative trace over collection.
It turns books into both literature and living memory.
A Movement Made of Many
The Open Sidewalk Project is intentionally scalable. Whether you’re an individual reader or part of an organization, there’s a way to take part:
Readers
Leave a book. Write a reflection. Upload a photo. Pass it on.
Your single act keeps stories in motion and reminds others that connection still matters.
Book Clubs
Turn your next read into a traveling library—each member releases a copy, each one finds a new voice.
Sidewalk Librarians
Community volunteers who track, curate, and support local releases—from cafés and schools to park benches and bus stops.
Sidewalk Stations
Small businesses, libraries, or cafés that host “in-between stops” for released books—informal, zero-cost literary touchpoints
Authors & Sponsors
Writers and community partners can amplify the movement through special releases, local collaborations, or sponsored kits that help others participate.
Why It Matters
In a world where most stories live behind screens, this project re-grounds storytelling in human motion and shared experience.
It reminds us that generosity can travel—quietly, hand to hand—and that stories can still move people before they’re even read.
“The sidewalk doesn’t end because builders ran out of cement,” says Alexander. “It ends because imagination begins where certainty stops.”
How to Get Involved
- Visit www.OpenSidewalkProject.org
- Register any book you already own
- Download your free Release Kit and “Invite” message card
- Leave it somewhere unexpected—and let the story begin again
For local partnerships, sponsorships, or author collaborations, contact:
team@OpenSidewalkProject.org