About a dozen poster-size book covers were recently installed around town as part of the King County Library System’s (KCLS) Take Time to Read campaign.

Librarian Rayna Holtz said the artful covers, hung mainly on the outside of cooperating businesses, are meant to catch the attention of passers-by and get them interested in reading.

“All of them were definitely selected because they were aesthetic, done very nicely and could stand alone as art,” Holtz said.

Beginning in March, businesses participating in the book tour will offer brochures with information about the books on display. In addition, Islanders can visit the KCLS website for more information and book reviews, something Holtz said people can do right from their cell phones.

“You can very quickly decide if it’s something you’d be interested in and even place a hold,” she said.

Several other communities in the county are taking part in the new reading campaign. Holtz said KCLS got the idea from a similar campaign in London, where a museum posted reproductions of its works around the town to get people interested in art.

“It gave us all the idea that libraries could benefit from doing the same things with book covers,” she said.

The book covers will be on display until June.