25-01-2012, 09:22 AM
The People's Library, 3.0: Mobile and in the Streets
The People's Library, 3.0: Mobile and in the Streets
Stephen Boyer 23 January, 2012
![[Image: carts11.jpg]](http://occupiedmedia.us/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/carts11.jpg)
Have Wheels, Will Travel: The People's Library 3.0
Before the November 15 raid of Liberty Square, the Occupy Wall Street library had an estimated 5,000 books on site, plus zines, periodicals and multimedia materials. During the eviction the library was defended by its dedicated librarians, one of whom had the backpack cut off their back before being violently arrested. The day after laptops, audio equipment and books were indiscriminately tossed into dumpsters by the NYPD, Mayor Bloomberg announced that he would release the contents of the library. However, only 1,275 books have been recovered, with only 578 books in readable condition. That means 79% of the original library is gone or destroyed.
![[Image: @NYCMayorsOffice.jpg]](http://occupiedmedia.us/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/@NYCMayorsOffice.jpg)
The People's Library was taken to a sanitation garage after the November 15 eviction. Photo: @NYCMayorsOffice
When the park was re-opened by court order the next day, people immediately placed books on the granite benches that had been the library. But the new library The People's Library 2.0, if you will only lasted until the following night. At 7:30 p.m. on November 16, about 15 police officers and sanitation workers from Brookfield Properties, which owns the public park, descended on Liberty Square and circled the 200+ new book donations that had come in since the raid. An officer announced the books would be confiscated if not immediately removed by librarians. Seconds later, officers seized the books and threw them into garbage bins. Again.
Around 1:00 a.m. on November 17, I showed up with a tote bag full of books. After all, a bag of books is personal property. I spent the morning in conversation with Brookfield's security, who argued that an individual didn't need more than one book. But eventually we agreed the books would be kept in carts and off the benches, as Brookfield insisted the benches remain open to the public.
MORE....
The People's Library, 3.0: Mobile and in the Streets
Stephen Boyer 23 January, 2012
Have Wheels, Will Travel: The People's Library 3.0Before the November 15 raid of Liberty Square, the Occupy Wall Street library had an estimated 5,000 books on site, plus zines, periodicals and multimedia materials. During the eviction the library was defended by its dedicated librarians, one of whom had the backpack cut off their back before being violently arrested. The day after laptops, audio equipment and books were indiscriminately tossed into dumpsters by the NYPD, Mayor Bloomberg announced that he would release the contents of the library. However, only 1,275 books have been recovered, with only 578 books in readable condition. That means 79% of the original library is gone or destroyed.
The People's Library was taken to a sanitation garage after the November 15 eviction. Photo: @NYCMayorsOfficeWhen the park was re-opened by court order the next day, people immediately placed books on the granite benches that had been the library. But the new library The People's Library 2.0, if you will only lasted until the following night. At 7:30 p.m. on November 16, about 15 police officers and sanitation workers from Brookfield Properties, which owns the public park, descended on Liberty Square and circled the 200+ new book donations that had come in since the raid. An officer announced the books would be confiscated if not immediately removed by librarians. Seconds later, officers seized the books and threw them into garbage bins. Again.
Around 1:00 a.m. on November 17, I showed up with a tote bag full of books. After all, a bag of books is personal property. I spent the morning in conversation with Brookfield's security, who argued that an individual didn't need more than one book. But eventually we agreed the books would be kept in carts and off the benches, as Brookfield insisted the benches remain open to the public.
MORE....
"Let me issue and control a nation's money and I care not who writes the laws. - Mayer Rothschild
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass