Berliner Büchertisch

The Berliner Büchertisch is a non-profit book redistribution and literacy initiative based in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 2004 on the initiative of Ana Lichtwer, it began in Berlin-Kreuzberg and has been part of the Neukölln neighborhood of Rixdorf since 2017. The project is organized as a registered non-profit association (Berliner Büchertisch e.V.) and, since 2013, also as a cooperative (Berliner Büchertisch eG). Its core activity is collecting donated books and other media from private households and cultural institutions, then passing them on to schools, daycare centers, youth facilities, prison libraries, and other charitable organizations, or selling a portion in its own second-hand shops and online to finance its work. The association runs numerous literacy-promotion projects for children and families, including the Berliner Lesetroll (reading suitcases for schools), Ein Kind, ein Buch (every child receives a free book on each visit to the shops), the Berliner Büchertaxi (book gifts delivered on wheels), and the annual Rixdorf reading festival. In 2018 alone, it donated 221,850 books. The Berliner Büchertisch also maintains and supports several public bookcases in Berlin and Brandenburg. Its work focuses on low-threshold, out-of-school educational offerings in the local Neukölln community, but it also operates throughout Berlin and Brandenburg.

The Berliner Büchertisch was founded in 2004 in Berlin-Kreuzberg on the initiative of Ana Lichtwer. In 2005, it opened a branch on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg, followed by a branch on Gneisenaustraße in 2011. In 2013, 40 employed and volunteer staff members founded a cooperative (Genossenschaft) alongside the association, after the founder and then managing director withdrew from the project. In 2014, a branch opened on Wühlischstraße in Friedrichshain, financed through crowdfunding. In 2017, the premises on Mehringdamm were terminated, forcing the shop there to close amid considerable media interest. After a lengthy search, the project moved to Neukölln-Rixdorf. In 2023, the Berliner Büchertisch co-founded the Verband für dezentrale Stadtteilarbeit Rixdorf (Association for Decentralized Neighborhood Work Rixdorf). The project has continued to expand its literacy programs, including the first Rixdorfer Lesefestival für Kinder in November 2025 and the project Rixdorf liest III for 2026–2027.

• 2025

  First Rixdorfer Lesefestival für Kinder held in November.

• 2023

  Co-founded the Verband für dezentrale Stadtteilarbeit Rixdorf.

• 2022

  Started organizing an annual reading festival in Neukölln-Rixdorf.

• 2018

  Donated 221,850 books.

• 2017

  Mehringdamm premises terminated; project moved to Neukölln-Rixdorf.

• 2014

  Opened branch on Wühlischstraße in Friedrichshain, financed by crowdfunding.

• 2013

  40 staff founded a cooperative alongside the association.

• 2011

  Opened branch on Gneisenaustraße.

• 2005

  Opened branch on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg.

• 2004

  Founded in Berlin-Kreuzberg on the initiative of Ana Lichtwer.

Non-profit, community-oriented literacy and book redistribution project with a focus on social solidarity and access to books for all.

• Berliner Lesetroll

  Distribution of reading suitcases to Berlin schools and daycare centers.

• Ein Kind, ein Buch

  Every child receives a free book of their choice on each visit to the shops.

• Berliner Büchertaxi

  Mobile delivery of book gifts to children, e.g., in shared accommodation, on St. Nicholas Day, Christmas, and action days.

• Berliner Lesetaube

  Annual reading scholarships for children from socially disadvantaged families.

• Ein Herz für Schulbibliotheken

  Support for school libraries.

• Rixdorf liest

  Reading meetings for daycare groups and school classes, family Thursdays, neighborhood events.

• Wortwunder Neukölln

  Project including the 1st Rixdorfer Lesefestival für Kinder in November 2025.

1. 1Berliner Büchertisch official websitebuechertisch.org
2. 2Rixdorf liest IIIbuechertisch.org
3. 3Wortwunder Neukölln - Geschichten, die fliegen lernenbuechertisch.org
4. 4Wikidata: Berliner Büchertischwikidata.org
5. 5Wikipedia: Berliner Büchertischde.wikipedia.org