How to make a Chinatown Library

I've seen a lot of push for a Chinatown Library and simultaneously I've seen a a lot of concern about an eroding Chinatown.

Here is the problem with asking/begging/protesting for a Chinatown Library from the Powers that be.

A) They are cutting funds to libraries across the city anyway. That is at least a good excuse not to ever build one.

B) Copley Library is right down the street in Back Bay. That is a good reason for them not to build one in Chinatown. Also, do we want Chinatown Youth getting out of Chinatown to explore Back Bay? Absolutely. What about the elderly? Yes we want them to get out and around too and frankly most of the elderly you see in Chinatown are nowadays from projects in Mission Park and Charlestown and other parts of the city. It might be way easier to just "take over"  the Copley one culturally by encouraging people to use it more regularly, hanging out there, and volunteering more programs there. Like Chinese music performances Calligraphy that sort of thing. That way non-Chinese that go to Copley will see and appreciate (or see and be annoyed with) Chinese Culture. But what matters is we become more visible, get more allies, which makes us stronger, and when you have enemies that are ridiculously against you because they don't like the way your opera sounds, that also makes you stronger too.

C) If the powers that be did build a Chinatown library who would use it? Sure Chinese people would use it. But like Tufts, which a lot of Chinese use, a lot of non Chinese people will use it too. Great! A lot of non Chinese will love going in there mingling and even talking to Chinese people who don't really speak English. Great Interactions! Guess what, a few people using the library will also be little twenty something shits that make snood remarks about our kids, our elderly, and how disgusting Chinese people are in their mannerisms or habits. Some of those shits might even be some form of Chinese. That's not really a reason not to build a library. But I'm just saying a Chinatown Library will be good for Chinatown. It will also be a whitey white whitest library with Chinese books and Chinese shingles and lettering on the outside and cost a ton of dough.

SOLUTION?????


Let's make one.


How?

All you need is a set of shelves in several locations. A place where people can leave books or take books. Not sign in or sign out. Take and keep and leave for free. Obviously there will probably be a lot more English Language books on those shelves, and Free Chinese Falun Gung Book propaganda too. And maybe at first someone might take a ton of books home and hoard them. But they aren't going to burn those books. In other words if somebody "steals" free books (which makes no sense in terms of the phrase or the act)  those books will eventually come back after they have been read or other people in that house realize or demanded that they don't want those books in the house. Lot's of people have lots of books they want to get rid of. There is a little book box like this in JP, which has two libraries and I think it was created by the BPL. I'm saying Chinatown makes it's own with some shelves

Now for locations.

That's right locationSSSS. because since we don't have a real library we need more than one shelf.


CCBA Hallway, BCNC Hallway, SOme of the Family Associations Hallway, assemble a water proof plastic Sheds at the playgrounds and parks. The doors need to be able to close securely and maybe even lock at night. Not for fear of people stealing the books. But to prevent Rain Damage and people from urinating in them.

Bakeries and restaurants.

If you own a Bakery it might be a good idea to have a shelf like this. People know about it so they come in to your bakery to get a book, and hey, "Are you going to come in here and not buy a bao and a coffee? WTF?' go ahead yell at them or encourage them. I agree with you. The book is free, but they need to buy something. And frankly people like to sit in Cafe's and play chess and talk, and during quieter hours perhaps more people will come in to read, while buying something. If you are the owner, it's your little shelf. Maybe you don't want to install one yourself really or you do but your busy and you don't have that many books.
Well this idea is good for the community so maybe some student or Chinatown groups can help install the shelves and get the books into a bakery or a few bakeries for free. Start with one. See where it goes.


This is Easy and simple. We can definitely do this.