As the OccupyWallStreet protest movement has held firm and spread since its inception September 17, the northeast corner of Zuccotti Park (renamed Liberty Plaza by the protesters) in lower Manhattan has become the home for the budding revolution's People's Library.
The library already has a website, which proclaims that "information is liberation," and this morning, October 5, a "call for librarians" went out.
"We need help building our catalog and writing our history. Our readers are enthusiastic and some of them need help finding the right book," the post reads. "The right book for the right reader is fundamental to successful librarianship, so we need public services folks to come out and conduct reference interviews with people and help them find 'their' book."
One librarian who responded even before the call went out is Mandy Henk, an access services librarian and assistant professor at the Roy O. West Library at DePauw University in Indiana. She made the 12-hour drive to New York last week to volunteer after seeing a posterboard sign with a list of things the library needed, including librarians.
"If these brave young people (and not so young people) were asking for members of my profession to come and help build and maintain a library, how could I refuse?" Henk said. "If my professional skills could do some good for people sleeping outside in the cold and rain to affect the kind of change I want to see, why wouldn't I go? What excuse did I have?" she said.
Protesters happy to see a library The library is run by volunteers like Henk and stocked through donations which are arriving at the clip of about 30-50 books a day, according to Michael Oman-Reagan, another volunteer who built the library's website and is an anthropology graduate student and a CUNY employee. He said people were thankful for and excited about the library.
"Everyone who visits for the first time is thrilled to see we have a library, they walk up with a big smile and say "this is so cool!" Oman-Reagan said. "Sometimes folks think we're selling the books, and then I explain that anyone is welcome to check out books, and that it's an honor system, and they often seem amazed," he said.
The library's website has had nearly 3000 hits since it went live Sunday.
A patron browses at the People's Library.
The first occupywallstreet librarian was Betsy Fagin, who began the process of organizing the collection, which was originally housed in cardboard boxes under a tarp (Fagin was an ALA Spectrum Scholar at the University of Maryland where she received an MLS in 2004). But the recent rainy weather in New York quickly made clear that a better system was needed for outdoor storage. There are now about 15 plastic boxes which each hold about 30 books. There are also several boxes of graphic novels, two boxes of zines and pamphlets, some DVDs, and a box of magazines.
The books are divided into fiction and non-fiction, with the latter organized into categories such as labor, economics, anthropology, ecology, international relations, religion, and music.
"It is split pretty evenly between fiction and non-fiction. The fiction section is solid, with authors such as Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, Dickens, and Douglas Adams," said Jaime Taylor, an art librarian from Brooklyn. "Non-fiction is all over the board, but very strong in politics, economics and labor, and history, and the women's studies section has a whole crate. Poetry is also very popular, which is not something many public libraries can say," she said.
Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States is popular The library staff has to handle a wide variety of questions from patrons.
"People were asking reference questions, browsing for books, offering to help," Henk said. "The atmosphere was exciting and intellectually lively. I've never worked in a library with so many enthusiastic readers," she said.
"A lot of people ask for directions and are looking for particular materials, information on what to do if arrested, copies of Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, or a copy of the Occupy Wall Street Journal. I also get a lot of questions about what the purpose of the protest is," Oman-Reagan said.
Zinn's book is the most popular item, according to the website, and difficult to keep in stock since so many people want to read it.
"Offering people the opportunity to explore the world themselves through the written word is why I became a librarian," Henk said. "Connecting readers to writers is what I do."
Patrons can sign out a book or they can keep a book if they choose, but they are strongly encouraged to return them. If a book is marked "processed," meaning it is in the incipient catalog, and the patron intends to keep it, they are asked to write the book's title, author, and ISBN number on the "Signed Out Forever" sheet so it can be removed from the catalog.
Books can be traded but are not for sale. There is a "library ground practices" sheet for staff to consult.
"The collection is fairly permeable, as people bring things, borrow things, and return them or don't return them," Taylor said.
A working group of about 15 people make decisions, by consensus, about how best to organize, develop, and promote the library. In addition to working on a catalog, the staff is archiving Occupy Wall Street ephemera, such as publications like the "General Assembly Guide."
"There is a library here because we are here, and knowledge is necessary for survival," Sophia Marisa wrote on the website.
Donations can be sent to: The UPS Store Re: Occupy Wall Street/Library Committee 118A Fulton St. #205 New York, NY 10038
Reader Comments (32)
"Brave young people"? They're not facing down tanks at Tiananmen Square. They're just your standard socialist anarchist layabouts who've never seen a protest they didn't like and have never done a day's work (or showered) in their entire lives.
Posted by Baxter on October 5, 2011 01:20:27PM
Oh my goodness, Baxter--I don't think you've come by to visit us yet, have you? Please do stop by if you're in the area so we can introduce ourselves properly. Best regards,
Betsy
Posted by Betsy Fagin on October 5, 2011 02:25:23PM
Baxter, time to get back to your Tea Party meeting.
Posted by Allen on October 5, 2011 01:28:31PM
Oh, finally the People's Library. Now we can get rid of those nasty tax based brick and mortar dinosaurs with all their old technology and useless book shelves. The People's Library, utopia has arrived! As soon as the Central Committee is set up we can ban all those nasty Capitalist books. And with the "free" market gone we can put all the librarians who are spreading that Ayn Rand stuff in prison. Long live Che!
Posted by Richman on October 5, 2011 03:31:37PM
Baxter, my girlfriend works three jobs, is a Grad student, and volunteers at
the library, and for the record, takes a shower everyday and smells
wonderful. Any other arguments you'd like me to refute? I'd be happy to
discuss the finer points of facing tanks since I'm a former Marine with two
combat tours to Iraq, so please, come down to the library, and meet
Betsy, and me.
Posted by Shane on October 5, 2011 03:50:43PM
I wonder if Baxter understands that many people, both at the protest as well as all over the country, are out of work because of Wall Street. It makes me wonder if the rich are responsible for all these jobs they proclaim to provide. If they are then they can contact me as I could sure use one right now.
Posted by Tom on October 5, 2011 06:20:48PM
The digital divide gives you society with fraudulent financiers; the people's library gives you society with revolutionary readers.
Posted by Chris & Maryanne on October 6, 2011 08:03:33AM
Actually, Richman, Ayn Rand is well represented in our library. Come on down, you might enjoy yourself.
Posted by Betsy Fagin on October 6, 2011 08:28:50AM
RIGHT ON BAXTER! (at least about the part calling them brave- don't know about the other stuff). This whole thing is a sad joke. They don't know what they're against.
The call went out for books on economics and I thought- GREAT! Let's get some books to educate these people on how the economy actually works- then maybe the idiots calling for a $20/hr minimum wage will learn. Unfortunately, I think they would be weeded pretty quickly for lack of use.
While it is interesting to see such libraries established, let's not make more of this than it really is- nothing.
Posted by spencer on October 6, 2011 12:50:02PM
what a baxter.
Posted by J on October 6, 2011 01:09:07PM
Richman, is your name just an apropos coincidence?
Posted by Michael H. on October 6, 2011 03:32:26PM
Wow - why all the negativity? In case all us librarians have forgotten, public libraries were formed to democratize access to information. And yes, many of them were established by big bad money - but they were still established. As for bravery - how dare anyone call out anyone else on that? No one knows what a person might or might not have been through in their life and how much bravery it might or might not have involved. Does the bravery displayed at Tianamin square negate all other kinds of bravery? Lastly, naysayers can always find something to complain about - for example, if no librarians had been involved in this no doubt the naysayers would be screaming about that. I, for one, think that anytime anyone is interested in providing affordable information to others it is a good thing ... hmm guess that makes me some kind of weird librarian.
Posted by melodie frances on October 6, 2011 04:45:33PM
I may not agree 100% with everything each occupayer believes but I think it's an intriguing concept. Just sent a donation of three books for the library. Had fun selecting the titles (Ascent of Money, 30 Second Economics, and Democracy A Very Short Introduction) and hope they find a good home with somebody who wants to read them. Have fun storming the castle!
Posted by muppetzinspace on October 7, 2011 04:55:14PM
Baxter may want to reconsider his remarks after a visit. The Occupy Wall Street residents include veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan whose experiences exceed the violence at Tiananmen Square. Most of the others have worked at jobs he would probably scorn. As for showers, I am sure he is welcome to help improve sanitation and hygiene facilities anytime he likes.
Posted by Gerry Greenberg on October 9, 2011 12:06:04PM
Such vitriol! I'm astounded!!!
I believe every community, no matter what its perspective, needs a library, and like it or not, this is a community. I'm totally impressed with what these librarians are doing. If I can get away from here, I'll check in and see if you still need volunteers
Posted by Infogoddess on October 9, 2011 01:06:25PM
Let me find out directly from someone at Library Journal. LJ, do you support
Occupy Wall Street? http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rescuing-
america-from-wall-street/2011/10/04/gIQAJGezLL_story.html says "the current
American model of capitalism" is OWS's concern. Second question, therefore, is
does the LJ agree?
Posted by Dan Kleinman of SafeLibraries on October 9, 2011 05:19:55PM
We also had a free library at the Capitol during the Wisconsin Union protests of February and March 2011. It was heavily used and browsed; people borrowed material and added to it throughout the occupation. Clearly, a free and public library is a central pillar of people's democratic movements - much to the chagrin of others, including those who seek to mock them on this very thread.
Posted by Sarah Roberts on October 9, 2011 06:14:02PM
I think it's cute. But then, I'm a liberal librarian. There are a lot of us, which makes my one conservative co-worker crazy.
Posted by Jennifer Heise on October 9, 2011 04:21:58PM
What a wonderful service. Do you also have Kindles and iPads as well for
reference?
Posted by Art on October 9, 2011 11:21:35PM
Wow, I'm surprised at the vitriol. I think it's kind of neat that a spontaneous
collection around reading materials and information has sprung up in this
spontaneous community. I think it's great that they've figured out a way to
connect people with books. What's so wrong about that? Why all the snark?
Posted by Laura K on October 10, 2011 12:17:27PM
The emergence of a library(!) in the midst of a long protest illustrates perfectly this truth:
libraries are fundamental to having true and functional democracy
Sarcasm and red herrings aside - Baxter and Richman - a public library reflects and extends its community. Attacking the library collection and the protesters simply allows you to avoid responding thoughtfully to the message. Betsy, classy response!
Posted by Suzanne on October 10, 2011 01:55:11PM
That is cool! Very creating and resourceful indeed!
You guys rock!
Posted by Backster Alen Reachman on October 11, 2011 03:41:58PM
I think this a great idea! I am studying to be a librarian and
it just makes me so proud! All my friends can finally stop
bugging me about all the stereotypes towards librarians and
realize librarians are a very essential and nifty group. Keep
up the good work!
Posted by Andreah on October 11, 2011 08:51:05PM
The participants could use more information. The latest poll showed that 51% didn't even know why they were protesting.
I find paid protesters protesting capitalism a bit ironic, too. Do others see the humor in it?
I hope the librarians involved are keeping a professional stand and providing information for more than one side of the argument.
Posted by corkie lane on October 12, 2011 08:42:05PM
As a librarian, I think calling the book collection at the OWS protest a "library" is a major stretch of the imagination. Would we call the reading room at the assisted living center a library? Does the average teen's backpack constitute a "library"?
And this whole situation begs the question - "Why does a 'spontaneous social protest movement' require a library? - to keep people from getting bored during their ordeal? Half non-fiction MUST be for entertainment, so is this turning into a theme park, or a joke. I don't get it - neither the protestors nor the librarians. Those librarians should be working this hard at trying to figure out how to make their job relevant to their community so they can keep their library open, not playing 'librarian' like a 5-year old.
Posted by Steve on October 13, 2011 11:22:03AM
@Baxter Weak kneed little person. You ever had the nuts to
stand for what you believe in? I bet you REALLY know what
bravery is, from your sofa.
Posted by baxter exwife on October 13, 2011 12:07:17PM
Based on Baxter's comments, it MUST take a lot of bravery to stand up for one's ideals in a country like the USA, the prevailing culture of which is to mock, deride, and marginalize anyone whose ideology strays from the spoon-fed priorities of God, Flag, and Dollar.
These people are facing down something far more powerful, immovable, and insidious than tanks.
Your truly,
a highly educated, hard-working professional social anarchist
Posted by Jack on October 13, 2011 11:03:33AM
Good point, Steve. With so many communities questioning the need for libraries, I'd prefer to see librarians putting their efforts toward showing those communities why having access to a wide range of viewpoints and information is so important to having a well informed populus. This little project by a few librarians who are showing their own political bias in a profession that is supposed to be prized for it's neutrality for providing information for all members of community is not sending the best message to communities who are questioning the value of their libraries. Having personal political views is fine, but don't display it, and particularly don't tout it, while you are wearing a librarian's hat.
RE: Baxter...I thought freedom of speech applied to all points of view. Why the vitriol displayed for Baxter's viewpoint? Disagreement is part of our democracy, but disagree in a respectful way. He has a right to his viewpoint as much as the protestors do to theirs.
Posted by corkie lane on October 13, 2011 01:37:38PM
GGAAAAAHHHH!
Baxter and Allen, you two should be on the same side. Tea partiers want less government in the economy, Wall Streeters want less corporate control in our government. This isn't some simple right-left issue. Corporatism is enabled by already corrupt politicians who make it easier for corporations to thrive after corporations pay those politicians to make it harder for better, small-businessy start-ups to compete.
On Wall Street, incentives are warped by policies pro-government Keynesians need to say will work in order for them to still be relevant. When they fail they say their new, conceptually identical plan will work, not mentioning that if they stop following their formula of bubble-replacing (through government edict), economic destruction will be worse than if they had stopped intervening earlier (and eventually they MUST stop). This is a cycle perpetuated by both big money and big governement. Don't blame capitalism, and don't try throwing out all regulations because the government enacts very bad ones very often.Just friggin be libertarians already and out the corporatist parasites on Wall Street AND in Government!
And Ayn Rand clearly demonizes crony capitalists in Atlas Shrugged. She was for honestly made money, but gave too much credit to society, thinking we'd all be super-nice if we were free, i.e. livin with laissez-faire capitalism.
Don't think Rand is for the dog-eat-dog mentality. She was for the live-and-let-live mentality.
Okay, rant delivered. Have a nice day, and get the f*** along.
Posted by ADAM on October 23, 2011 01:28:57AM
Wow Baxter and Richman. That is a lot of anger against books, persons who want to read, and the people in charge of putting those two together (librarians). Comments like those show just how much hatred many Americans have for average people who want to have their voices heard and to affect change in the world.
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