Uni Books: a collection of collections


Uni Books is an effort to build an outstanding, engaging, and versatile collection of browseable books for public space. We’re appealing to librarians, teachers, scientists, authors, and all lovers of books to help us see what’s possible as we design this collection from scratch.

The books will be organized in a series of “mini-collections,” each filling one of the Uni’s 16″ cubes. Relying on this physical constraint, the collection will be channeled into a series of concise, in-depth looks at various ideas or topics. Whenever possible, each cube will be curated by an individual who loves books and is deeply knowledgable and passionate about a particular subject. For example, one curator is already working on a cube dedicated to the origins, history, and use of knots—this cube will include a rope and cleat board for practicing basic bends, cleats, and hitches. Another is developing a cube on deafness and sound.

We believe these mini-collections will convey a sense of passion and depth too often missing from content chosen for public space. The collections will also be raw material for our librarians, whose expertise and passion is the arrangement, presentation, and display of the books across the course of a day and in different locations. Think of the Uni as an orchestra, made of so many different instruments and players, and the Librarian as the composer/conductor.

As a foundation for the collection, we’ll also build out a set of basic cubes on the following broad categories:

  • Children’s picture books
  • Poetry
  • Short stories and essays
  • Art books
  • Reference titles
  • Oversized books

Based on our experience developing a similar collection for the Storefront Library, we think these categories of books make for good browsing, especially when the books are high-quality and the titles eclectic. We’re gathering them now through donations of new or gently-used books. To donate, see our Book Donation Policy below, and contact Leslie Davol.

Uni Book Donation Policy
We encourage and appreciate donations of books for the Uni Collection, as well as monetary contributions towards the purchase of books. Book donations are accepted with the understanding that books will be added to the Uni Collection only if deemed appropriate and needed as determined by Uni Librarians. Uni is a project of Street Lab, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donated books become the property of Street Lab and will be used where and how the Uni Librarians see fit.

Our priority is to make books in the Uni Collection available for public browsing. At any time, if a book can not be offered effectively to the public in the Uni Collection, Uni Librarians may dispose of it as they see fit, including but not limited to the following options: 1) donation to another nonprofit or library that can offer the book to the public, 2) sale of the book in a charitable book sale, with proceeds used to purchase new books for the Uni Collection.

All books accepted into the Uni Collection will be documented as such in the book itself and in the Uni’s online catalog. All donors will also be acknowledged on the Uni’s website. We are prohibited by law from appraising the value of donated books, but we can provide an acknowledgment and general summary of your gift. Donors should understand that over time, donated books will become well-worn from use by the public and may be damaged or lost.

Uni Volunteer Librarians
From Simmons’ Graduate School of Library and Information Science:

  • Lindsey Danis (Simmons GSLIS ’12)
  • Chelsea Gunn (Simmons GSLIS ’12)
  • Madeline Kelly (Simmons GSLIS ’12)
  • Molly McInerny (Simmons GSLIS ’12)
  • Helen Schubert (Simmons GSLIS ’13)
  • Yukie Ohta (Palmer School of Library and Information Sciences, NYU ’11)

(Here’s an archived post from the Boston Street Lab blog announcing the Uni Librarians.)

 

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