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UPDATE
The Occupy Wall Street Library has started a blog. All information regarding donations and where to send them, volunteering etc. will be contained therein.
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Welcome to the newest branch in the New York City public library system; The Liberty Square Library. The library serves the Occupy Wall Street community and is open 24hrs a day.
And like most libraries these days it is in serious need of support.
In an update to BP’s previous post on the library I added mention of the piece on The Book Bench, the book blog of The New Yorker, in which Alexia Nadar paid a visit to the library and spoke with the “appointed caretaker,” Betty Fagin.
To be clear, Fagin is a librarian who “stepped forward to take responsibility for the library.” She is neither appointed or anointed. She is a volunteer who travels from her home in Brooklyn every day, she is also a mother which requires her to go home each night. She is a true hero. And she needs help!
First and foremost, more volunteers are needed to maintain and care for the library. This is a 24/7 event and hence requires round the clock support.
In addition Fagin states:
One of the biggest challenges right now is just keeping the books dry–we had a lot of heavy rain last night & I’m a bit scared of what I’ll find when I get there this morning. At the moment, we’re just covering everything with tarps and garbage bags when rain threatens.
You asked about the library’s needs. They change daily, but book donations have been pouring in– keeping up with what we have and creating order is a challenge. Our biggest need is for more help. We would love to have more books in languages other than English, board games have been very popular (risk would be nice, another chess set or two) and book repair supplies (I’ve done some things with duct tape I’m not proud of). I dream of those big plastic containers with lids that are water tight.
So now it’s up to us.
Here are two Twitter hashtags that can help the process: #occupywallstreetlibrary #libertysquarelibrary
As needs arise they can be posted and hopefully fulfilled. I have personally pledged some immediate financial support to address some of the most pressing needs. If you are not in the NYC region and would like to donate some of the requested items please email me at michael@bookpatrol.net and I will try and facilitate as best I can.