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When everyone was busy writing off print publishing (specifically printed books), they didn’t bet on that the antiquated charm of the literary world holdout “The Library”. The government-aided (though sadly underfunded) institution that encourages reading and is one of the last free environments that caters to what is left of a reading public, has been showing signs of wear over the past 20 years. The advent of digital publishing hasn’t made it any easier either. No longer a go-to destination, major libraries are now offering digital rentals. So if the people wont come to the library, logic would dictate that they bring the library to the people.
Colin McMullan, the founder of the Kindness and Imagination Development Society (KIDS), has created a simple, and cute solution to this seemingly dying pillar of communal reading, called The Corner Library. Originally launched in New Haven, Connecticut in 2007, The Corner Library just posted its first location in Williamsburg Brooklyn. It is a tiny, doghouse-looking book domicile that works by offering donated zines, books, graphic novels, pamphlets and other such ephemera on a honor-system for those who request membership. So, you must ask: ‘what is membership into a house that you can’t fit in?’ Simple: The membership is actually key access to the book, where you’ll be able to take a book or zine out for a 2-week period before returning it. Not based out of a fear of being slapped with late fees, but out of respect for the tiny community that you are not only living amongst, but are now reading amongst as well.
Here’s to the Micro Library Revolution!
Links to consider: