Neighborhood lawn libraries offer young Bay Area readers access to anti-racist books

The books are collected from the historic Marcus Books in Oakland with each library painted by commissioned artists

ByAndrew Morris KGO logo
Friday, January 28, 2022
Anti-racist lawn libraries take hold in Bay Area neighborhoods
Some trendy, neighborhood lawn libraries popping up in the Bay Area have been teaching anti-racist perspectives to younger children.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- It has become a pleasant site popping up in neighborhoods across the country. Little birdhouse-like cupboards, generously stuffed with books and stories of all varieties, filled by anonymous sources.

One brand-new without a crease to show. Another, worn with signs of love from an untold number of story times.

The friendly bookstands restore a sense of grassroots community. Take as you please, give as you take. A natural economy of passed-along treasures.

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However recently, some of the lawn libraries springing up in the Bay Area have been teaching a new kind of ideal, from the ground up.

A group of three friends, Jenny Roy and Meg Honey and Sarah Foster, started the Walnut Creek nonprofit called Rise Up Against Racism, constructing neighborhood mini libraries filled with diversity-themed book collections.

The books are collected from the historic Marcus Books in Oakland with each library painted by commissioned artists.

ABC7 News Anchor Jobina Fortson got the chance to sit down with Honey and Roy to talk about their important mission in offering different, equitable perspectives to younger readers.

Click the video player above to watch the full interview, and be sure to tune into ABC7 News' new digital streaming show, '7@7', broadcast weekdays at 7 a.m.

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Download the free ABC7 Bay Area app on your Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple, and Android TV.