Jerry is inside (& on the big screen)!
Thanks in part to the advocacy of our Community Outreach Director Diana, our longtime library patron Jerry was able to move inside this summer. And thanks to all of you Street Books supporters, Jerry was able to immediately get almost everything on his wishlist.
Howdy, neighbor!
Street Books is now a full-fledged teenager, in the midst of wrapping up our 14th (!) summer outside. So please excuse the change in our voice.
My name is Yimei (pronounced ee-may). I'm the Communications Coordinator and a Street Librarian. I'll be writing some of these dispatches from time to time, and bringing a dose of the streets to your screens.
We've been keeping real busy this summer, but here are some highlights from the past three months. We put 4,000 books into circulation, and distributed countless cases of waterbottles, hygiene supplies, cooling towels, first aid, and 800+ doses of naloxone (Narcan).
Thanks in part to the advocacy of our Community Outreach Director Diana, our longtime library patron Jerry was able to move inside this summer. And thanks to all of you Street Books supporters, Jerry was able to immediately get almost everything on his wishlist (medical supplies, a bed, a desk, cooking utensils, and more).
Our library patron Kelli kicked off our Pedalpalooza ride this year with three original poems, about being a lesbian, about being homeless, about being human.
She said, in a way, they were all Street Books poems, because they were written with pens and paper that came from us.
We couldn't do the work we do without you.
Your support through the years has given our patrons not only access to books and stories, but also the means to write their own. Thank you!
Documentary Screening
Before Jerry moved inside, we connected him with Humans for Housing, who featured him in their documentary No Place to Grow Old, which explores the rising senior homelessness crisis and its systemic causes. They gave Jerry space to tell his story with dignity, and on September 27th, you can see him on the big screen at the Newmark Theater.
Museum Exhibit
Every Monday, our librarians run a shift in the South Park Blocks right near the Oregon Historical Society. We're so honored to be featured in their new permanent Rivers, Roses, and Rip City exhibit, which celebrates Portland, its varied communities, and the history of activism that has transformed the city.
Book Lover's Ride & Street Books Reading Group
This summer we've witnessed difficult scenes on the street and we've witnessed beautiful scenes, sometimes within the same hour. Our librarians have been distributing water and electrolytes to people struggling to survive the extreme heat, along with the usual books and reading glasses.
Greetings and happy August to you. This summer we've witnessed difficult scenes on the street and we've witnessed beautiful scenes, sometimes within the same hour. Our librarians have been distributing water and electrolytes to people struggling to survive the extreme heat, along with the usual books and reading glasses. At Street Books we are committed to building a community of support for people living outside, and we recognize that we are better when we work together alongside others. Over the years, we have benefitted mightily from the support from our incredible community partners. We want to give a shout-out to one of our newest partners, Portland Animal Welfare Team (or PAW Team). Read more about them and have a look at the list of our community partners. These are a few of the many organizations doing vital work in our city every day.
BOOK LOVER'S RIDE
One of the very coolest parts of the Street Books Book Lover's Ride last year was the mass book swap that happened at the end of the ride. Join us this Wednesday (August 7th) for our 2nd Annual Pedalpalooza event, celebrating bikes, books, and community. Along the way, there will be local author book giveaways led by our board member, the writer Karen Russell, as well as opportunities to learn about Street Books. Bring a book you'd love to share and leave with a new-to-you one! We start at Colonel Summers Park, 6:30 pm. Details here.
The Street Books crew met last week for a book discussion about our latest read, Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction is Changing the Future of Drugs & Addiction, (Maia Szalavitiz). This book is a personal account of the author's own recovery, and includes a history of the activists, scientists, doctors, and community organizers behind the harm reduction movement. It's also a call for a more humane and compassionate way of supporting people who struggle with addiction.
Thank you for checking our WISH LIST!
Join us for Pedalpalooza!!
Bring a book you'd love to share and leave with a new-to-you one! Adults, kids, adults who act like kids, kids who act like adults...everyone is welcome! Join us for the ride or meet us at the end for a book exchange.
Thank you to everybody who came to our Street Books party in June. So many folks turned out for the revelry, ate pizza and tacos, drank cold drinks and celebrated our community. We are so grateful for you.
This week we're tracking the factors that make living on the streets more difficult and dangerous. This includes the recent Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, (read founder Laura Moulton's opinion piece in the Oregonian on Sunday) as well as the scorching temperatures (find resources here and here, and please spread the word to others who may need relief from the heat).
Our librarians will be out on bicycles as usual this week, distributing books, water and supplies for surviving the heat. Thank you for supporting our work.
Grab your bike and join us on August 7th for an evening of celebrating bikes, books, and community. Along the way there will be local author book giveaways, opportunities to learn about Street Books, and a community book exchange at the end of the ride. Bring a book you'd love to share and leave with a new-to-you one! Adults, kids, adults who act like kids, kids who act like adults...everyone is welcome! Join us for the ride or meet us at the end for a book exchange. Visit the Pedalpalooza calendar for more information.
June is Here!
Greetings and happy June. This month contains our annual Street Books Revelry & Community Celebration, (June 20!), the opening of an Oregon Historical Society exhibit that includes Street Books, and an invitation to the Book-lover's Pedalpalooza ride in August! But first, we are sending out so much gratitude that we must distill it into bullet points, so as not to overwhelm.
Our Spring Campaign met the $10,000 match (we love you, Peter Samson, Robin Schauffler and anonymous family)
We also met our giant goal of 50 new or increasing monthly donors, (this means $945 of support per month, and $11,351 per year)
Our Spring Campaign Business Partners raised nearly $3,000 for us - please support them and thank them for supporting Street Books
Thank you to all the businesses, families and individuals who helped make our Spring Campaign a success! We were blown away by your commitment and generosity. If you've been meaning to donate but haven't yet, it’s never too late to add your support. We are headed into a busy season for sharing books but a season that is also typically slower for individual giving — we can always use your support! Consider making it a monthly gift and spread your good support all year round. Thank you!
STREET BOOKS REVELRY & COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Thursday, June 20th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm (SW Park Avenue between SW Jefferson and SW Madison)
Free, wheelchair accessible event — Everyone welcome! Featuring:
Musician Jet Black Pearl & Louis the Amazing Bubbleman!
Poetry by Street Books library patrons
Delicious tacos, pizza and cake!
And so much more! More details and an RSVP link at our Event Page
Street Books is honored to be included in the Oregon Historical Society's exhibit, Rivers, Roses & Rip City: The Remarkable History of Portland. Visit the exhibit and look for a photo of our crew in the section on Bicycles!
Also, this Saturday, June 15th, two great local businesses Books With Pictures & Kiss Coffee will host events that include/benefit Street Books. Check their social media for details and thank you for supporting them!
Book Lovers Bike Ride
Colonel Sumners Park, SE 17th and SE Taylor Street Books
Wed, Aug 7, 2024, 6:00 PM Gather at 6 and leave at 6:30 Ride is a loop.
Along the way there will be local author book giveaways, opportunities to learn about Street Books, and a community book exchange at the end of the ride. Bring a book you'd love to share and leave with a new-to-you one! Adults, kids, adults who act like kids, kids who act like adults...everyone is welcome!
Join us for the ride or meet us at the end for a book exchange.