I was stumbling around the park this evening with my family, when one of us noticed, just a little off the trail, there was a large wooden box that said “free library” across its front. We’re not generally in the habit of opening strange boxes left unattended in the park, but, as beauty kind of radiated from this thing, and as it was covered in cute little drawings of woodland creatures and the like, we encouraged the kids to check it out. And, within a minute or two, we were all staring into this thing, flipping through the books lined up neatly across its small wooden shelves, talking about what a inspired idea it was, and discussing which books from home we might want to contribute.
I hesitate to mention it here, as good things have a way of disappearing from our public parks once they’re brought to the attention of the powers-that-be. (Does anyone remember the smeet sign that once stood near the tridge?) But, I figured that, in this instance, it might actually help to have people know about it. First, I think, if it’s going to survive, more people need to contribute books. And, second, I think that maybe, if people know about it, and appreciate it as much as I do, then it might be harder for those folks who perceive themselves to be in charge, to smash it and haul away the pieces. So, please grab a book off your bookshelf this weekend, and go out in search of this incredible new cultural landmark.
These, in my opinion, are the kinds of things we need more of in this community… little reminders of the fact that we exist in a community of bright people looking for opportunities to share with one another, and make the world a little bit better place. Because I’d been reading through the comments following my exit interview with Vikram Bastian… many of which centered around the campaign which he and others had waged against a new, multi-million dollar library in downtown Ann Arbor… but, when I looked at this new micro-library of ours, with it’s couple of dozen books, it really did seem all the more beautiful to me. Which isn’t to say that I’m necessarily against the idea of Ann Arbor having a new library, or suggesting that we close down our Ypsi public library in favor of tiny, unsupervised book boxes hidden in the woods. Clearly there’s a place for “real” libraries. I just loved the fact that someone, or a group of people, could just do something lovely and impactful without passing a $65 million dollar bond. And I know that it’s not a perfect analogy, and that people will likely get mad at me for comparing this little box of books off to the side of a trail in an Ypsilanti park, to the impressive multi-story, glass and steel structure that was being debated in Ann Arbor, but I do find the juxtaposition of the two to be interesting. I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions, though. I just thought that it was worth noting.
As for the scrappy, little DIY movement that’s taking root in Ypsi, tomorrow there’s going to be an opportunity for you to see it firsthand. Between 1:00 and 5:00, at EMU’s Porter Hall, folks associated with the Ypsilanti Free Skool will be holding sessions on everything from paper making to the growing of herbal teas, with the occasional detour into the political. (I’m particularly interested in the session on corporate media consolidation, and the one being hosted by my friends in the Midwest Feminist Revolutionary Network.) …If you read and enjoy this site, I think that it might really be up your alley. And, afterward, you could check out our new library!