A new website, little free libraries, and more!
Hi friends,
We’ve had a lot of changes since we last sent out a newsletter, including a shiny new website! On the site, you can learn more about us and our mission, updates on upcoming events/workshops, information on how to donate, and you can browse our library and choose any available books to pick up for free in Astoria.
The Rolling Library’s Library
A REALLY exciting development is that we now have a physical location thanks to our good pals at the Astoria Food Pantry (25-82 Steinway)! This not only lets us keep better track of our library stock but also provides us with a place where you can come get free books. On our website, you can browse our books, choose any available ones, and then come pick them up on Monday nights. Every book is free and available to everyone (but our mission emphasizes providing books to those who can't afford them and/or have limited access to bookstores; we want to make sure we're still encouraging people to support our local stores if you have the means). We also have mystery book bundles for children’s and middle-grade books!
Check out Astoria Food Pantry for more information on the amazing work they’re doing, including a weekly free store, and how to donate.
Bookshop.org
The Rolling Library also now has our own Bookshop page! You can check out our curated lists of recommended reading and learn how to ship new books directly to us at Astoria Food Pantry. Our wishlist especially has books that we’d love to see in our free libraries. As an affiliate we get a small commission from books bought via our page or our affiliate links—that money will go directly back into our funding.
Little Free Libraries
When winter rolled in, The Rolling Library put all of our in-person events on hold and switched focus to installing Little Free Libraries around New York City. We launched a fundraiser and with your help, we’ve already purchased 10 libraries—four have gone up and the remaining six will be installed when (if?) the snow ever melts—and a ton of books to fill them with. We’re looking forward to buying even more in the future. If you have any suggestions for a free library location (especially if you have connections there), definitely hit us up! So far our libraries are located at:
Queensbridge Houses South (12th St & 41st Rd)
Queensbridge Houses North (near Jacob Riis Settlement; 10-25 41st Ave)
Woodside Houses (Broadway between 50th and 51st streets)
Astoria Houses (temporarily housed in the community center)
Donations
Our general donations are still closed as we sort through and organize our current stock but we are specifically accepting children’s books (especially board books for ages newborn to 3!), books in languages other than English, and books written by BIPOC. You can drop off donations Monday nights between 6-8 pm; if you can’t make it there, message us and we’ll schedule another time.
Thanks!