A small comic book library set up over 20 years ago in a mountainous area of Gifu Prefecture has proven to be a popular embodiment of the spirit of recycling, as well as of people's love for comics.

The building, formerly a public bathhouse run by the city of Gifu that depended on heat generated by a nearby waste incineration plant, houses around 20,000 used comic books kept on shelves that were once lockers.

The city-owned library in Kakebora, a 30-minute drive from the city center, was launched in April 1996. With the help of volunteers, it is open weekends, national holidays and during school breaks, and attracts about 2,500 visitors each year.