Piecing the People’s Library Back Together
After police raid, reports of missing and damaged books
November 16, 2011
(People's Library)
The People’s Library—featuring works by Philip Roth, Alan Dershowitz, and Primo Levi, among many, many others—which was removed in its entirety from Zuccotti Park yesterday during the eviction of protestors, is slowly being pieced back together.
The books, which were taken to a Department of Sanitation facility on 57th St. along with other items from Zuccotti Park, were available for pickup today. An update on the library’s website announced: “Many books destroyed. Most equipment-and structures missing…most of library is missing (ALL of the reference section btw), damaged or destroyed.”
Meanwhile, Michelle Goldberg argues that the police crackdown will only stoke anger and revitalize the protestors. “The quixotic little village in Zuccotti Park may be gone,” she wrote. “The movement isn’t.”
Occupy Wall Street Needs Help Reclaiming Their Library [Village Voice]
Harsh NYPD Action May Reinvigorate Occupy Wall Street Movement [Daily Beast]
Related: One Percent [Tablet Magazine]
Earlier: Occupy Wall Street Without the Occupation
Some Unexpected People’s Library Authors
Stephanie Butnick is the founder of GOLDA, a Jewish lifestyle newsletter. She hosted the Tablet podcast Unorthodox, co-authored The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia: From Abraham to Zabar’s and Everything in Between, and worked as a writer and editor at Tablet.
