Colombian Garbage Man Builds Library From Discarded Books
June 10, 2017
A garbage collector in Colombia has his own library for children. Where did he get all the books?
The trash.
20 years ago, Jose Alberto Gutierrez found a copy of the classic novel Anna Karenina in a garbage bin. It was the start of a wonderful obsession.
Today, the 55-year-old has more than 25,000 books stacked on the ground floor of his home which he keeps open to the public as a free library.
As Jose's collection has grown, so too has his fame. The other drivers who used to think that Jose was crazy, now help out, bringing him whatever books they discover in the rubbish.
Local newspaper headlines hailing him as "Lord of the Books" have brought more donations pouring in.
Photo credit: Smriti Daniel/Al Jazeera
"Lots of people mocked me. They would laugh when they found out about my project. But now 20 years later, they are amazed," says Jose, adding that "my dream is to exchange my garbage truck for a truck full of books, and travel the country."
Dogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious
Meet Nazgul: The Dog Who Crashed An Olympic Ski Race And Nearly Won
Professor Watches His Student Compete At The Olympics After She Requested An Extension On An Assignment
People Are Submitting Photos of Their Cats’ ‘Jobs’— And We Can’t Stop Laughing
A Childhood Bond Reunited: Firefighter Saves The Horse That Taught Him To Ride
She Collects Trash 5 Days A Week With Her Dog — So A Resident Gifted Her Dog A Matching Vest
Mom Was About To Miss Her Flight, So A Stranger Picked Up Her Kid And Ran With Her
He Ordered A Doctor Bag — But The Size Has Him Laughing Uncontrollably
Woman Stunned By Valuation Of Rare Māori Jade Hei-Tiki Found In Her Garden
She Gave Her Dad The One Thing He’d Been Searching For His Whole Life
He Went Back To Pay The Man Who Helped Him — But That’s Not What Happened
