Fall Celebration & Fundraiser - Come eat tacos with us!

It's the annual Street Books Party. Join us as we celebrate the eighth year of operation and honor the patrons who have checked out books all summer long.

When: Thursday, September 20, 6-8 p.m.

Where: 237 NE Broadway, at the Lagunitas Community Room

Purchase a ticket  |  Facebook Event Page

What will be there?

  • Emceed by the fabulous Paul Susi
  • Taco bar by Los Gorditos *
  • Wine & Beer *
  • Onsite photo booth by artist Julie Keefe
  • The Book Divinator Machine (Back by popular demand! - Put a token into the slot to have a book magically divined for you.)
  • Music by Colectivo de Son Jarocho

There will be a short program featuring librarians and patrons from the season, and time to enjoy wine and beer with friends. We'll see you there!

* Ticket price includes tacos, beer, and wine.

(Can’t make the event, but want to support us? Consider purchasing a ticket on behalf of one of our patrons, who will attend free of charge.)

 

Paul Susi emceeing our 2017 Street Books celebration

Paul Susi emceeing our 2017 Street Books celebration

Hello From the Summer

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Ice Cream Social at St. Francis Park Apartments. We were so excited to see how many patrons were able to be there. Next big event for Street Books will be our annual fall celebration & fundraiser, Thursday, September 20, 6-8. Save the date, and we'll get you more details soon. Last big news: Street Books is going to Austin, Texas! Thanks to a grant from RACC , six librarians/staff will attend the Texas Book Festival in October, and attend a first annual street library summit with Patrick Crowley, who operates Street Books: ATX. Check out this recent feature on his project. Summer shifts continue to be bustling, even on Portland's sweltering days. Thanks for your continued support.

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Living in Literature

Pépe & Diana worked the shift this week at Sisters, and our patron Cornell was very glad to get his hands on Eileen Myles' book, Cool For You. Feels pretty perfect that Myles has written: "Living in literature and love is the best thing there is. You’re always home." Thanks for your support this summer, Portland.

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Street Books: Year #8 on the Streets

Happy June, everybody! Street Books had the official ribbon-cutting ceremony today on Burnside, to launch our 8th season on the streets, (thanks to Pépe & Pati for the enormous homemade scissors). Ben & Olive are working their Monday shift in Old Town, and they pushed off shortly after our ceremony to start checking out books to people. Want to help get books to people living outside or at the margins in Portland? Consider donating books, or email us to arrange a visit to a library shift (librarian@streetbooks.org). 

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February News

It's been a great week of book-slinging for Street Books. So many books & reading glasses went to patrons at our Sunday giveaway under the bridges, and then more yesterday at Street Books headquarters in southeast Portland. We finished the week with this very sweet mention from writer Omar El Akkad - (read his book, American War: A Novel). We're grateful to be included in such a stellar line-up of Portland bookstores, and it probably goes without saying that we feel exactly the same way Omar does about Portland's literary treasures.

It's Validation Day!

Friends, you're invited to our annual Validation Day celebration with Sisters of the Road! On Wednesday, February 14th, 11-2, there will be cookies, free books and reading glasses for diners & Street Books patrons. Stop by Sisters (133 NW 6th Avenue) to make a donation (books & glasses are great!) and say hello. Thanks as always to Sisters of the Road for their ongoing support, and thank you to the Lion's Club of Portland for the donation of 300 pairs of reading glasses!

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Street Libraries, Unite!

Wow! We're so excited to tell you about Street Books: Austin, a street library inspired by our project here in Portland, being launched by Patrick Crowley. We met him in New York City last June at the National Book Foundation's conference, and he was already making strides on his own library. Check out his website, and if you're in Texas, show him some love (and books and funds). He's looking for volunteers, too. Long live street libraries, and the people who read books!

We're Almost There!

Street Books is 3 subscribers shy of hitting our goal of 50 subscribers, and there's still time. Between now and Friday, December 15th, you can visit our D.rip page and subscribe.

It's no secret that a street library is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but we've stayed in business over the years because we are light on our feet, operate on a shoe-string, and rely on grants, foundation support, and help from our community. In fact, it is our book-loving community who has given us the most support for the past 7 years, and we want to thank you for being there from the start. The D.rip page is one way to support us on a monthly basis throughout the year, and we're grateful to have nearly 50 subscribers already. Help us spread the word, and boost that number.

Thanks again,

Laura Moulton & the Street Books crew

Ten Days Left!

There are 10 days left to become a Founding Member through Kickstarter’s new D.rip program. Help us reach our goal of 50 Founding Members before the December 15th deadline! Founding Members will receive regular updates, photos and stories from the Street Books library.

This season we have a lot to be grateful for: our new headquarters at St. Francis Park Apartments, the opportunity to operate an on-site library for residents there, and ongoing support from our community, which means people like you.

From the whole Street Books crew, we thank you.

Become a Founding Member of Street Books

Dear Friends of Street Books, we are thrilled to announce that we've been invited to be a part of Kickstarter's new Drip project, a platform designed to support artists and organizations in their work. This is a subscription-based model, so you can pledge your support and receive regular updates from the Street Books library, and from our patrons. Sign on to become a Founding Member between November 15-December 15, and receive extra special rewards. Thank you for spreading the word!