Long Distance Reads & Shares is our NYC/LI based mutual aid initiative to diversify the bookshelves of members in our community. We provide free books, masks, reading lists and other advocacy information on a monthly basis at our own events and various community events.

We believe it’s important for both children and adults to have access to their collective histories and be given the tools to navigate the vast world of literature and information. Since 2022 we have been able to provide community members with over 500 books and reading materials and hoping to expand that number! People who engage with us are always delighted that they get books for free and as we often table at recurring community events we have seen books leave, come back and find a new home!

This project is needed in our community in order to combat declining literacy rates and cuts to arts services such as the defunding of the NYPL. The community members we come across often are excited that they can have access to books without the barrier of cost and they also take great enthusiasm in our reading lists that highlight BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors who they have not been introduced to and further their engagement with literature even after they leave our table.

Donations for Long Distance Reads & Shares