The People's Lovely Library is run by our working group. We meet every Sunday at 11:30 am at the food court at the Downtown Central Library in Vancouver. We're always looking for more volunteers with brilliant ideas. If you're reading this, that probably includes you, so come on down or email us!
The People's Library Website (Wiki)
I'm so honoured to be in the company of so many of the fine craftsmen of Occupy Vancouver. We've been working like mad designing plans for our new bookshelves. The project just keeps getting better and better--and more sustainable!
We're still taking donations for paint, screws, hardware, wood and talented volunteers!
All the best from The Library!
Howl
The Proposal:
“The People’s Library is requesting a $150 budget for the construction of one model mobile bookcase, which will also act as a shelter for the adjacent area.
“We are also seeking in-kind donations of oil- and latex- based paint, wood stains or finishes, silicone sealant, wood glue or anything that we can use for this project.”
Talking Points:
The Lovely People’s Lovely Library is committed to creating a public spaces for the sharing of books, ideas, information and affection within the community.
We have priced our lumber at-cost, meaning it will be cheaper than what you can buy in a store. Our carpenters are all volunteers. We are still looking into purchasing cheaper bolts, screws and braces, but may have to buy those at market prices.
These bookshelves are part of a new modular design that will allow us to create a cozy, domestic library space with shelter from inclement weather that will provide a space for discussion and sharing of information and views for the community.
While each of these bookshelves can be used independently, when fitted together, they will simulate an enclosed tented area similar to the space we had at the VAG.
The first bookcase will likely cost about $100, but we want to ensure that our carpenters don’t get stuck with costs if they go over.
We will only ask to be reimbursed for what we spend. If we only spend $102.51, we will only ask to be reimbursed for $102.51.
Future bookshelves will be made with recycled lumber which will be more sustainable and cheaper. Unfortunately this will take longer to get and may not have the strength needed to test our pilot design.
These bookshelves need to be tough so that they can withstand being dragged around on the Skytrain, and up and over curbs, etc. This is one reason why they will cost more than normal bookshelves.
Hey guys,
I know we said that we would meet every Sunday, through rain, sleet or hail, but we didn't say anything about Santa! We will not be holding our regular meeting on Christmas Day. I hope we didn't ruin anyone's holiday plans.
--The Lovely Librarians
Minutes from Saturday, December 10th. Next meeting is December 18th, at the Downtown Library at 11:30am
Here are some updates:
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* Last Sunday's Meeting
* New Website!
* Book Drops
* Branches
* Mobile Library
* Free Stamps!
* Librarians needed for 'Occupy Santa'
* Book Cataloguing update
* Books now at Manuel's, Iain's & Anita's
* Secret Mission
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== Last Sunday's Meeting ==
It was wonderful! We hung out a bit at the at the Main Library and then went to Anita's house to make beautiful collage book return boxes and print and paste lovely bookplates into luscious literary works! It was quite fun. There were 6 lovely librarians present - and this particular one came away with new shoes!
== New Wiki Wiki Website! ==
Well our new wiki website has arrived! Our new library website is viewable at www.lovelypeopleslibrary.net... wait... no.... www.peopleslovelylibrary.net.... no..um... www.lovelypeopleslibrary.net .... wait... no ... ummm.. aahhh - heck - doesn't matter... you choose...
Feel free to edit the website as you wish - it is a people's lovely wiki website after all - open for all to alter and rework! This Sunday our library meeting will be dedicated to learning how to do just that with our wonderous new wiki.
== Book drops ==
Anita has dropped off book boxes at People's Coop Bookstore and Spartacus books. Little Sisters has expressed interest but there remain kinks to be worked out - Matthew is working on it.
== Branches ==
Dharma Lab has agreed to be a branch and so has Rhizome cafe. I talked to Rhizome just over a week ago, and, since they don't have a lot of space we will be setting up a single bookshelf there to start. They are very excited. Do you have an update on the status of the Dharma Lab Pia?
== Mobile library ==
We went to the Occupy reconnect meeting at Woodwards with our library cart, also the port protest on Monday. We were at the Art Gallery with the Library on Tuesday. Gareth has been driving us around a fair bit with his truck which has made things much easier than taking the cart on transit (books are heavy and our cart is not the easiest to tug. As Gareth says: You haven't lived till you've taken the library on transit.) Gareth bought a fold up table for the library and we used it to lay out our books at the port protest (it was very useful). We also put out our "People's Lovely Library" sandwich board again!
Still lot's of ideas for carts and pop up libraries floating around. Iain has drawn up some interesting ideas for mobile libraries and has some contacts who might be able to help us with custom bike trailers. Seems like lots of interest in enabling bicycle and other forms of increased human powered mobility. Another resource might be: http://www.vancommunitylab.com/ Anyone want to go on a field trip here?
== Free stamps ==
At Monday's port protest somebody told me about a website where we can get free rubber stamps: vistaprint.ca
== Occupy Santa ==
We have been asked to have a featured table at the entrance to the "Occupy Santa" craft fair (I think that's what it is). I believe it is this Saturday evening at the Dharma lab at 6ish. Is anyone interested or available to do this?
== Book Cataloguing Update ==
We haven't catalogued any books yet. I'm hoping to schedule a computer programming/hacking session at some point to begin the process of setting up a system so we can make this easy. Based on recent get-togethers it seems like we're going for an honour system with lending. Each book will have at least one bookplate or stamp which references the link to our website. In this way people will know it is from the people's library and will be able to figure out how to return it. Currently the idea is that each book will have some kind of unique code that people will be able to use to look up the book online. The code will reference a wiki page which will be populated with information about the book. Since anyone can edit the wiki page people borrowing the book can contribute to the page about the book (this is similar to the bookcrossing.com idea). When books are returned librarians will be able to edit the wiki page and enter the new location for the book.
== Books now at Manuel's, Iain's & Anita's ==
On Tuesday Gareth, Dagan & I visited Iain to relieve Iain of the burden of storing the bulk of our books. Distributing the book storage a bit will broaden book access as we start to catalogue and prepare the books for wider distribution. Anita also has a box or two of donated books awaiting eventual release into the wild (she also, apparently, has a rather bookish looking christmas tree awaiting release into the wild).
== The Sign Tour ==
For those who don't know - one of our lovely librarian has taken on the responsibility of embarking on a top secret mission of roving occupation. This really quite secret mission (for all eyes everywhere) will be hereafter referred to as "The Sign Tour". Please stay tuned - updates will arrive periodically at peopleslovelylibrary.net .
The People's Lovely Library is run by our working group. We meet every sunday in the food court at the Downtown Central Library in Vancouver. We're always looking for more lovely volunteers with brilliant ideas. If you're reading this, that probably includes you, so come on down or email us!
We have big plans including a library catalogue, finding new spaces and potential branch locations, yada-yada. You can keep in touch with us best on our google group or blog
The People's Library E-mail: ovpeopleslibrary@gmail.com