How Street Books meets readers' broader needs
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This library has everything. Photo: Courtesy of Street Books
Street Books launched nearly 16 years ago as a mobile library for homeless Portlanders. But as the city's homelessness crisis grows, its librarians now distribute overdose-reversal medication, sanitary supplies and sleeping bags alongside novels.
Why it matters: The nonprofit is increasingly filling gaps far beyond its original mission statement — something its leaders say was inevitable.
- "It's really hard to read when you're starving, or when you are suffering from addiction, cold or smoke," Monica Beemer, Street Books co-director told Axios.
Catch up quick: Founder Laura Moulton launched Street Books as a three-month summer project in 2011, pedaling around Portland on a makeshift bike library handing out books to people living on the street.
- She quickly realized the demand required more than a one-off experiment.
- With the help of funding from the Regional Arts & Culture Council and public donations, Street Books has grown into a year-round nonprofit with a dozen staff members and 16 regular service routes that distribute roughly 10,000 books annually.
"We have deep relationships with the people we serve," Beemer said. "To maintain those relationships, we also started to address other needs people were having."
- On each Street Books bike you'll find reading glasses in various strengths, hygiene items including wipes and bandages, water, flashlights and Narcan — at least while supplies last.
- Beemer said the staff is also trained in de-escalation techniques and can help refer patrons to housing, health and other social services.
Yes, but: Books remain at the forefront of what they do.
- While the vast majority of the books are donated, they also track requests, purchase used titles and can often get a book to it requester within a week.
Among the most requested books are those from LGBTQ+ authors, Beemer said.
- This prompted Street Books to launch its first-ever Queer Book Drive this month to expand its collection to include works from authors such as Rita Mae Brown, Jean Genet, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde and Virginia Woolf.
The bottom line: Beemer argues books are as critical to survival as supplies because they allow readers to see themselves reflected on the page.
- "Everyone deserves a rich life," she said.