Published: April 15, 2025

What happens when you combine a van full of books, a passion for literacy, and a mission to connect people across cultures and borders? You get ECHO Mobile Library, a grassroots mobile library serving refugee communities around Athens, Greece.

In this episode of Information Gone Wild, podcast hosts Essraa Nawar and Paul Signorelli sit down with Giulio D’Errico and Becka Wolfe, the heart and soul behind ECHO, to talk about the power of mobile librarianship, human connection, and how flexibility is at the center of their work.

Essraa: Giulio, I first met you at a festival in Athens and was drawn to the ECHO van like a magnet. Can you share—what exactly is the ECHO Mobile Library?
Giulio: It’s pretty much what it sounds like—a library on wheels. But more than that, it’s a project we built ourselves with friends. Every week, we drive 500 kilometers to reach six or seven different refugee camps around Athens. We bring books in over 15 languages, run art and music activities, and create spaces where people can connect. It’s a small idea that’s had a big impact.

Paul: What keeps you going, especially when the conditions can be so tough?
Giulio: Honestly, it’s the little moments—like handing someone a book in their own language and seeing their face light up. I may not speak Arabic or Farsi, but a book or a smile can break down walls. That connection is everything.

Essraa: Becka, you’re a linguist and musician. How did you find your way to ECHO?
Becka: Like Giulio, it started by accident. I had lived in Syria before the war, and when the refugee crisis began, I wanted to give back. I went to Lesbos thinking I had little to offer, but it turned out my language skills were exactly what was needed. One month turned into three… and then I never really left.

Paul: What helped you move from feeling helpless to taking action?
Becka: University really opened my eyes. I learned that building community with people moving in the same direction—even if the steps are different—matters. You don’t always realize what skills you have until you use them. That’s true for language, yes, but also for listening, sharing space, and showing up.

Essraa: Can you share a favorite story of someone the library touched?
Giulio: One man from Gaza would visit every few months, take a big stack of Arabic books, and disappear for weeks. One day, he came back with a short story he’d written—featuring Becka as a character! It ended up being published. That kind of thing reminds you how powerful access to stories can be.

Essraa: Okay, librarian moment—how do you even track borrowed books?
Giulio: Very simply! We only ask for a first name and WhatsApp number. People already deal with so much bureaucracy—IDs, case numbers, paperwork. We wanted the library to be the opposite of that. Yes, we lose books. Our return rate is around 70%. But it’s worth it for the dignity and trust we build.

Paul: Your flexibility really stands out. How important is that to your model?
Becka: It’s everything. The library literally wouldn’t survive without it. Camps move, rules change, people leave. One day we’re not allowed in a camp anymore—and we’re crying in the van—but we adapt. We set up just outside the gates instead. We find new ways to connect.
Giulio: Exactly. The project shifts depending on who’s volunteering, which communities we’re serving, and what books we can find. Being adaptable has kept us going for nine years.

Essraa: Speaking of books—how do you even find the right ones?
Becka: Everywhere! Friends, donations, and a lot of random book-buying trips. I just went to Istanbul to get Turkish books and an instrument someone left behind.
Giulio: I’m from Milan, and there’s a great Arabic bookstore there. They give us discounts now. And we’re always looking for people to help us source books in harder-to-find languages, like Somali or Bangla.

Paul: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start something like ECHO?
Becka: Just start. Even 20 books in someone’s native language can change things. Don’t wait for permission. Build a network. Stay connected to why you’re doing it.
Giulio: And remember—it’s not about serving people for them. It’s about working with them, side by side.

Essraa: Let’s lighten it up. What’s your favorite food or self-care ritual?
Giulio: Every week we stop at this roadside café for Greek salad, tzatziki, and fries. Simple, but the best. That’s our little ritual.
Becka: And sometimes the people we serve cook for us—stuffed grape leaves, shared on a blanket. Food and friendship. That’s wellness too.

Paul: Last question. Is there anything we haven’t asked that you’d like to share?
Giulio: Just that we welcome support. Donations, book connections, or even a social media volunteer—everything helps.
Becka: And if you’re thinking of doing something similar—do it. Build something small and meaningful. That’s how we started.

More Info

Inspired? Here’s How to Connect with ECHO Mobile Library:

Website: ecolibrary.org
Interested in helping? Reach out—they’re always looking for books, partners, and fresh ideas. Listen to this episode and more on the Information Gone Wild podcast—on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosts: Essraa Nawar and Paul Signorelli
Guests: Giulio D’Errico (Project Coordinator) and Becka Wolfe (Field Coordinator), ECHO Mobile Library