The "People's Library" Boosts the Occupy Wall Street Movement

As the Occupy Wall Street movement grows, it is developing into a "mini society" complete with its own forms of community and institutions, including a public library.

1 minute read

October 19, 2011, 5:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley

Zuccotti Park, home to the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, is now also the location of a spontaneous and leaderless public library, featuring over 1,200 books, wi-fi and public poetry readings. As City Limits reports,

"'The People's Library' has become an example of the group's mission and outside support. There is no hierarchy, no 'head librarian'...The librarians share responsibilities, like labeling and cataloging donated books, updating their inventory on LibraryThing.com, and communicating with other stations in the park. These stations – like the information booths and media center – keep the mini-society in Zuccotti Park running.

They'd like to expand their role as a resource center by creating a phone charging station, a central phone line, and an official archive of people and objects in the movement."

FULL STORY: At Zuccotti Park, a People's Library

Monday, October 17, 2011 in City Limits

Community / Economic Development New York

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.