Book house in Münchenroda inaugurated thanks to citizens' budget

In many parts of our town, people would rather swap books they no longer need than throw them away. It also existed in Münchenroda and so a proposal was submitted to the citizens' budget last year. And with 268 votes, it received enough support to be implemented as part of the overall budget of €100,000.

"The fact that we can now stand in front of the finished and lovingly renovated book house here in the historic center of Münchenroda is thanks to the district council and in particular Kathrin Haueisen, who took on the project implementation. After Wogau and Winzerla, this is now the third exchange opportunity in Jena that has been financed by the citizens' budget over the last two years," says Christian Gerlitz, Mayor and Head of the Department for Urban Development and the Environment.

Maik Prinz, local mayor, is grateful: "For us as Münchenroda residents, the citizens' budget is a good opportunity to put forward our diverse ideas. It is also special because all residents can vote. So thanks to everyone who voted for this proposal."

Andrea Müller, a resident from Münchenroda who was present, says: "I think the book house is great because I love reading and can also look for books for my granddaughter. Now there is a great new meeting place. It's a shame that Mrs. Haueisen can't be at the inauguration today due to illness. She organized everything so well."

In future, the people of Münchenroda themselves, specifically Ms. Haueisen and Maria Werner, will take care of the maintenance and upkeep of the book house.

This is not the first time that the district has been able to implement ideas and wishes through the citizens' budget. For example, two speed indicators were installed by the municipal service as part of the 2023 citizens' budget and the year before, the KSJ installed an additional bench in the village as part of the 2022 citizens' budget.

The book house was financed with €3,000 from the 2023 citizens' budget. The Münchenroda residents also made their own contributions, such as removing a railing and building the little house.