If you’ve seen someone riding a bicycle-powered mobile library around Portland, chances are you’re looking at a Street Books librarian. Street Books is an organization that provides books to people living outside in our city, and operates like a library. Patrons are issued a library card and can take out books on loan. There are no fees or fines, and no worries if a book isn’t returned. Readers are encouraged to pass it on to someone else who might enjoy it.
Portland author Rene Denfeld was one of those people living on the streets and knows the importance of Street Books’ mission. Rene writes: “As someone saved by books when homeless, I know that true resiliency lies in the imagination. Kudos to Street Books for bringing the magic of literature to so many souls on the streets.”
To help bring that magic of literature to the homeless, Street Books holds an annual fundraiser. The event takes place this year on Tuesday, December 5th from 6 to 8pm at Up Up Books in Southeast Portland. There will be readings by an all-star group of Portland-based authors, with pie, hot tea, and wine provided.
To tell us more about Street Books and the Pie and Prose fundraiser, we’re fortunate to have Street Books Executive Director and Street Librarian Laura Moulton here with us in the KBOO studios. Very familiar surroundings for Laura, who was a volunteer at the station for many years.
- KBOO