Street Libraries
"The children ask us to see what is beautiful and grand in them."
- Denis and Babette, Street Libray volunteers
A Place to Gather
Street Libraries engage children and parents around books, computers, and art in neglected,
under-resourced communities. As the Fourth World Movement’s signature project, Street Libraries
currently occur in New York City and had been active in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina.
Street Libraries developed from the principle of reaching towards a community’s aspirations
and the aim of sharing knowledge in the heart of the community. The format is simple: colorful
blankets on the ground, a communal time of reading and stories, followed by an activity
promoting discovery, highlighting skills, and encouraging creative expression.
Behind the simplicity, however, are rigorous methods. Street Library volunteers from outside
the community arrive at the same time every week, week after week. They invite all children,
but keep a special eye out for those with the most difficulties. They solicit and rely on
input and support from parents and other community members. They prepare achievable
activities with quality materials.
From the collective art projects in which children work together towards the same goal
The simple actions of Street Library program build a consistent, long-term, and trusted
presence in low-income communities and with families struggling with persistent poverty.
This relationship leads to further projects and partnerships that promote positive changes
at different levels of society for families and communities in poverty.
See video
