Activists Build Library Inside Abandoned Building in Oakland

By Maryann Yin 

A group of activists transformed an empty building in Oakland, California into a people’s library. Follow this link to check out photos of the revitalized space.

The organizers named it the “Victor Martinez People’s Library” in honor of the late Latino author. In an interview with the San Jose Mercury NewsJaime Silva (one of the organizers) explained that the building had been abandoned for a few years and its darkness “sucks the life out of the community.”

Here’s more from The Huffington Post: “Dozens of activists, many associated with the Occupy movement, entered the unlocked building, which alternately served as a library, school and social services center until the city closed it in 2010, and immediately went to work replacing the results of years of neglect. Trash, discarded mattresses and graffiti were removed to make room for the makeshift lending library of books donated by the community. By the afternoon, visitors had begun wandering in, and organizers were gearing up for an evening potluck dinner and poetry reading.”

Unfortunately, the people’s ability to enjoy the library was short-lived. The police have since evicted the library. Check out the library’s Facebook page for updates. What do you think?