Updates about our work
Manchester is in the Uni
In 2003, Leslie visited with staff at Urbis, a newly-opened institution in Manchester which was essentially about comparative urban studies--a kind of museum of the city and city-living in general. We loved this idea: a whole museum devoted to the urban experience. At...
The Uni on the Lower East Side
The Uni's purpose-built structure and growing collection of browsing books for kids and adults make it possible to turn on a dime and create an outdoor reading room almost anywhere. On Saturday, with Sam on tour, I brought the Uni out of storage myself and drove it in...
Spring Cleaning
The cubes are cleaned up and ready to go. Resource efficient, we used a light rain shower to remove the winter dust. A downspout, sponge, and a towel is all you need to clean a Uni. The Uni will come out on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 11am – 2pm, at Sara D....
Canada: XL and XS
[Another post from Sam on tour—explanation here.] 48 hours in Montreal and Toronto gave me a chance to visit one of the largest and then one of the smallest branch libraries I know. I'm all for both, but you know where my heart lies. I love small, especially for...
A little history makes places better
[Another post from Sam on tour—explanation here.] When we wrapped up the Storefront Library, we wanted to create another small-scale, public space centered on books and learning. To get started, we wiped the slate clean and tried to envision an institution from...
Chicago is in the Uni
[Another post from Sam on tour—explanation here.] Ten years ago, residents of lower Manhattan were given a chance to tell planners what should be rebuilt in our neighborhood after Sept. 11, 2001. I made one suggestion: visit Chicago and the Old Town School of Folk...
Oakland and the Uni have history
[Another post from Sam: libraries and public space on tour—explanation here.] 24 hours in the Bay Area, and I didn't cross the Bay Bridge. Thinking back, I sought out a place that inspired us in 2009: the Asian Branch of the Oakland Public Library and Oakland...
Los Angeles Public Library
[Another post from Sam: libraries and public space on tour—explanation here.] Here's a postcard from LA and a few thoughts about learning and public space. With only 24 hours and without my own ride, I could not hit the outlier libraries and little institutions on my...
Portland, Powell’s, Place
[Another post from Sam, libraries and public space on tour—explanation here.] One night in Portland means I head directly to Powell's. Primary mission: I need a book for the next few flights. Also, Powell's always gives me ideas and inspiration for the Uni. Powell's,...