Updates about our work

In 2009, we created an institution called the Storefront Library. When it was up and running, it was a community library in a 3000 sq ft storefront, which looked like this: To get it off the ground, we worked smaller venues first. Here's the Storefront Library just a...

We're working right now to put the Uni into service for the first time on Sunday, September 11 at the New Amsterdam Market. The market is on the site of the former Fulton Fish Market on the East River in Lower Manhattan. We're still fabricating at MIT this week, but...

Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. The Uni is so pleased that 826NYC, home of Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co, has curated and donated a cube of books featuring young New York writers. The 826 donation includes several remarkable non-book items which challenged...

This morning we were honored to meet and receive a donation of books from Barbara Cohen, owner of New York Bound Bookshop, a once-thriving NYC bookshop which is now a piece of New York history itself. The store was located in Rock Center and specialized in rare,...

New York: do you need more room in your apartment? The Uni team is in NYC right now (THU 8/18-SAT 8/20) accepting donations of used books for public space. We've got some openings in our pick-up schedule, so drop us a line if you would like to donate. To start, we're...

Dear Friends of the Uni, We are thrilled and honored that you reached out, gave, and brought the Uni to life. As of early this morning, the project broke the $20K Kickstarter threshold, and we can now build. You did it. Whether you gave for love of books, public...

To our 150 backers: thank you for joining us to create the Uni! Many of you have been working hard to spread the word, and we appreciate that, especially in these closing days. We've got ten days left to raise a remaining $5K at which point the funding is unlocked and...

On Kickstarter, you have to go public with your idea at a fast and furious pace to reach your launch goal. The approach is not typical for nonprofits, which usually turn privately to board members, previous donors, and foundations to get projects rolling. Yes, we've...

As we enter the homestretch on Kickstarter, here's an email we sent to our friends asking for help. We're deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us thus far, at all levels and in different ways, to help build the Uni. Onward! Dear Friends, Sam and I have two weeks...