We all have a forgotten book or two on the shelf that we have never touched in ages. These forgotten books can now find a new home with the Stellenbosch University Language Center's Book Tsunami.

In celebration of World Literacy Day, and to highlight the importance of reading, the Language Center plans to transform the Neelsie Student Center at the Stellenbosch campus into a massive walk-through library on Friday 6 September.

These books are available for free to anyone as long as you give it to someone else again. It's a kind of pay it forward way to make people aware of reading.

World Literacy Day is commemorated annually on 8 September after the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared this day to World Literacy Day. The aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

Vernita Beukes, Language Center Coordinator, says this is the third consecutive year they will host the Book Tsunami.

"The previous two were very successful and we got very good feedback. We hold back any remaining books for the following year to ensure the project is sustainable."

The Language Center appeals to staff, the public and students to donate books for the project. Any books, any language. A book is a book and someone will have a home for it. Books can be downloaded at 7 Bosman Street in Stellenbosch.