Statement of Purpose
The Root Radical Lending Library exists as a resource for the activist community of Brattleboro, VT, and specifically, to support the community of individuals affiliated with the Root Social Justice Center, and more generally, for those affiliated with all activist and social change movements. It is a place where people working for justice can gather, learn, grapple with ideas, and develop strategies, and where people who are new to activist work can introduce themselves to some of the important history, ideas, traditions, and individuals that comprise activist movements and communities.
How to Get a Library Card
Library Borrowing Policies
Our Collection Policy Statement
The Root Radical Lending Library collection focuses on materials that reflect key ideas, tools, history and communities behind contemporary and historical movements for social and political change. It prioritizes materials that amplify the voices of marginalized communities and individuals, and that document and support social change and political protest movements. We seek to collect materials in the widest practical range of formats in order to be accessible to as wide an audience as possible. These may include children’s materials, materials spanning a range of age appropriateness and reading skills, audio-visual materials, large print materials where possible, zines, graphic materials, etc. Additionally we seek to collect works of fiction, poetry and art that further the above-stated ideals.
Donating Books
We will happily accept book donations in good condition, and if they are in keeping with the purpose of our library, as detailed in the Collection Policy. If the books are not within our defined collection purpose, we will look to sell them to help fund the library. So, either way, your donations keep the library going! Thank you!!!!!
Specifically, we are looking ot collect books on the following topics:
Animal Liberation, Anti-racism, Asian/Asian-American Identity or Liberation, Black Identity or Liberation Movement, Criminal Justice System Activism, Disability Rights/Liberation Struggles, Economic Justice Movements, Radical Education Movements, Environmental Justice Movements, Fat liberation, Feminisms and Women’s Liberation Movements, Healthcare Activism, Immigrants Rights/Activism, Latina/o, Chicana/o Identity and Liberation Struggles, Native American Identity/Sovereignty/Liberation Struggles, New Left, Peace/Anti-War Movements, Puerto Rican Independence Movement, Queer Identity and Liberation Struggles, Radical Left theories and Movements (anarchism, socialism, Marxism, etc), Sexuality and Gender Theories, Vermont Activism, Workplace Rights and Activism
Feel free to mail book donations to:
The Radical Lending Library
c/o The Root Social Justice Center
28 Williams Street, First Floor
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Donations may also be dropped at the Root Social Justice Center Book Drop:
The Root Radical Lending Library exists as a resource for the activist community of Brattleboro, VT, and specifically, to support the community of individuals affiliated with the Root Social Justice Center, and more generally, for those affiliated with all activist and social change movements. It is a place where people working for justice can gather, learn, grapple with ideas, and develop strategies, and where people who are new to activist work can introduce themselves to some of the important history, ideas, traditions, and individuals that comprise activist movements and communities.
How to Get a Library Card
- To get a library card, you need to come to the Root Radical Lending Library when we are open.
- We will ask for a name, address, phone number, and email address, if you have those things. This is so we can contact you if we need to about book loans.
- We will then get you a library card, with your member number on it. This number is what you will use when you check books out of the library. If you've forgotten your card, but know your number we can still check books out to you.
- It is important that you know that your identifying information will be kept private, and will be kept separate from information about the books you've checked out.
- Once you check books back in, all record that you had the books is discarded.
Library Borrowing Policies
- All books may be borrowed, unless otherwise specified
- Items in our zine collection are not available for loan. But some zines are available to keep.
- All books have a one month loan period. Books may be renewed as many times as needed, but it’s nice to stay in touch with us, so we can officially renew the title and not assume the book has been absconded with. We will ask for a book back if someone else has requested it.
- There are no overdue fines. We hope that folks will treat materials with respect and return their books in a timely fashion so that others in the community may have access to them.
- We request that lost items be replaced. Failure to do so may result in loss of borrowing privileges.
- There is no membership fee to join the library. However, we are happy to accept financial donations, and will use them to buy more books!
Our Collection Policy Statement
The Root Radical Lending Library collection focuses on materials that reflect key ideas, tools, history and communities behind contemporary and historical movements for social and political change. It prioritizes materials that amplify the voices of marginalized communities and individuals, and that document and support social change and political protest movements. We seek to collect materials in the widest practical range of formats in order to be accessible to as wide an audience as possible. These may include children’s materials, materials spanning a range of age appropriateness and reading skills, audio-visual materials, large print materials where possible, zines, graphic materials, etc. Additionally we seek to collect works of fiction, poetry and art that further the above-stated ideals.
Donating Books
We will happily accept book donations in good condition, and if they are in keeping with the purpose of our library, as detailed in the Collection Policy. If the books are not within our defined collection purpose, we will look to sell them to help fund the library. So, either way, your donations keep the library going! Thank you!!!!!
Specifically, we are looking ot collect books on the following topics:
Animal Liberation, Anti-racism, Asian/Asian-American Identity or Liberation, Black Identity or Liberation Movement, Criminal Justice System Activism, Disability Rights/Liberation Struggles, Economic Justice Movements, Radical Education Movements, Environmental Justice Movements, Fat liberation, Feminisms and Women’s Liberation Movements, Healthcare Activism, Immigrants Rights/Activism, Latina/o, Chicana/o Identity and Liberation Struggles, Native American Identity/Sovereignty/Liberation Struggles, New Left, Peace/Anti-War Movements, Puerto Rican Independence Movement, Queer Identity and Liberation Struggles, Radical Left theories and Movements (anarchism, socialism, Marxism, etc), Sexuality and Gender Theories, Vermont Activism, Workplace Rights and Activism
Feel free to mail book donations to:
The Radical Lending Library
c/o The Root Social Justice Center
28 Williams Street, First Floor
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Donations may also be dropped at the Root Social Justice Center Book Drop:
Wish List: Following is a list of things we REALLY, REALLY need!
- Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to help staff the library, organize events, publicize the library, obtain new books and materials, write book reviews, participate in fundraising activities, maintain our website and Facebook presence, decorate the space, participate in policy and decision making, and a wide variety of other tasks! Does the idea of working in a library excite you? Get in touch with us!
- Money: The Root Radical Lending LIbrary was created entirely with volunteer labor, and donated resources, supplies and materials. Any contribution you make will go towards the purchase of library materials and materials supplies to keep the library running or to pay for software or other services necessary to the library.
- Books: Help us build our library collection! You may be aware that our library is located in a very small space. The truth is that we only have room for about 1,000 books! That is why we have developed our collection policy statement around the idea of building a collection to support the social justice activism of the Brattleboro community! Please support local bookstores, and help us build our library!
- Supplies:
- A Lock Box or Safe
- An office Laminator
- Plants and flowers to decorate the space
- White string lights to decorate the space
- Office sized trash can
- Magazine rack
- Chalk board to hang on the wall
- Paper Cutter
- Scissors
- A three-hole punch
- Pens, sidewalk chalk, highlighters, tape, staples, staplers, paperclips, etc.
- Fan: small table fan or floor fan
- Cork bulletin board or similar
- Photocopy machine