The Solidarity Fridge Community Library
Victoria Flores is no stranger to mutual aid. Founder of the Solidarity Fridge, Flores first started helping the community by setting up a refrigerator outside her own home, free and open to anyone, anytime. Then, wanting to expand her aid to the community, she began working on a project extending from the fridge: a community library.
With the help of several friends and community partners, the library officially opened on November 15th, 2021 – a day before Flores’ birthday. Cece, a friend of the fridge, brought up the idea of creating a space to give away toys and books to Flores, who instantly felt inspired.
“Books are treasures and should be shared everywhere. Especially in our marginalized and underserved areas,” she said. “[They’re] a source of inspiration and awakening that allow for our creativity and imagination to run free and wild.”
Improving Literacy One Book at a Time
Discussing how essential reading is, Flores shared that she considers reading to her children sacred. “It forms connections and a time for bonding and listening.”
Reading to her children wasn’t the only reason Flores felt interested in creating a community library. The state’s low literacy rate for school children also encouraged her to carry out the project.
“Two-thirds of Nevada’s school-aged children score below a basic level of reading proficiency,” she explained. “Having places in our neighborhoods where books are easily accessible can address that. It’s also a way for parents and community members to slow down, be present, and expand our knowledge and consciousness.”
Jess Mireles, one of the community partners of the Solidarity Fridge who helped build the library and worked on the Las Vegas Town Fridge, shared what inspired her to help with the project and how important reading to her daughter is.
”Reading books to my daughter has been a huge part of our lives, in her development, and our favorite quality time,” she explained. “So, I hope the little library is a good reminder and makes it easier for parents to read to their young ones.”
Creating the Library
According to both Flores and Mireles, executing the idea for the fridge took some figuring out.
Flores shared how she was a bit nervous about the installation and how it would all work out. “Having Jess, Robyn, David, and Robert as a part of our team was invaluable,” she said. “They each helped tremendously, and [they’re] the only reason our Library is standing.”
For Mireles, she spoke of the personal challenges she overcame in building the library. These challenges involved learning how to use the tools to build the library and weatherproofing the library so that the books stay dry and out of the elements.
“We built our library tough and with lots of care and love!” Flores added. “Jess spent a lot of time working on the roofing and making sure it was weatherproof to keep out as much moisture as possible. So far, it’s working out great.”
How the Library Operates – “Love a Book; Share a Book”
Located next to the Solidarity Fridge, the Community Library resides at 5502 Blackthorn Dr. in Las Vegas, NV, and is open to the public 24/7. Based on community donations, the idea is to have people borrow books, bring books, or exchange them.
“Love a book; share a book!” Flores said. “It’s beautiful to see how the community has added their own touch to it. Over the past months, I’ve seen bookmarks, stickers, wrapped books/journals during the holidays, and, more recently, school supplies!”
While appreciated, Flores and Mireles shared that there’s no obligation for people to leave a book when they take one.
“Our objective is to put books in the hands of our community,” Flores said. “We want our youth to feel supported, loved, and encouraged.”
Furthermore, Mireles explained that the goal is to “put more books in the hands of children and adults without any obligation to return them or ask any questions.” She added that they also hope to inspire others to host a free little library.
“[We want] to plant seeds and empower our community,” Flores said. “Education is important for our collective liberation. It’s crucially important not only to make educational resources accessible but to provide opportunities for our community to read, learn, and flourish together. Through education and community, we are creating a safe space where we all uplift each other and thrive.”
As an official member of the Little Free Library program, the program lists The Solidarity Fridge Community Library on the organization’s neighborhood library map. To learn more about the program, find other libraries near you, or even start your own library, visit their website.
The Ideal Books to Donate to the Library
by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor.
While all books and reading materials are welcome at the library, Flores and Mireles shared how a major focus is to collect books for children, especially ones that inspire and educate.
“I highly encourage and want to amplify books from Black and Indigenous authors,” Flores said. “I would like for our library contents to promote inclusivity with diverse perspectives and experiences by uplifting and celebrating BIPOC and LGBTQ voices. [The people in] our community should be able to see themselves in the pages of the books we share.”
The library also happily welcomes zines, magazines, artwork, blank journals, comics, stickers, art/school supplies. “Really, anything that brings you joy and that you feel compelled to share,” Flores said.
Mireles said that regarding magazines, she’d recommend people avoid donating celebrity gossip magazines. Though, she added that she doesn’t want to “micromanage what’s left in case that would be what interests someone else.”
Managed By The Community
From the people who donate to volunteers who organize the library in their spare time, the library is managed as a community project and upheld by the community.
“People respect it, maintain it and treat it as their own, because it is,” Flores said. As a result, people have developed a sense of pride in the library and share their time and energy to keep it running successfully. And there’s always a need for volunteers to help with the project.
“Just like the community fridge, there is a heavy flow of traffic at our library,” Flores said. “It would be amazing for people to collect items from libraries, their friends/family, or independent bookstores to help maintain it with a diverse selection of books.”
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Friends of the Community Library
In addition to those who helped build the library itself, many people in the community also contributed to the library’s quick success.
Helping the library start off strong, a local community group called This is Our Start ran a book drive back in December to collect books for the library. During that month, participating local businesses housed drop-off bins for book donations.
“It would be great to start that up again!” Flores added. “We are looking to get more bookstores [and] organizations on board with supporting and supplying some good reads and resources!”
In addition to This is Our Start, other community partners of the Solidarity Fridge showed up to help the newly founded library.
“Fifth Sun Project provided school supplies, including notebooks, binders, pencils, markers,” Flores said. “[And], local artist Jesus Orozco filled our library with individually gift wrapped books and sketchbooks/journals during the holidays.”
#GetinMotion with the Solidarity Fridge Community Library!
Flores shared that the best way to support the library is by spreading the word.
“We want members of our community to get involved!” she said. “If you live nearby or you’re able to donate, please do so. Another way to support us is holding book drives in honor of little libraries.”
She concluded by saying, “We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. We are here to honor and support our community in any way we can. Please reach out if you are interested in partnering up for educational events or if you need help starting a little library in your neighborhood!”
Visit the library to find a new book or drop off donations at 5502 Blackthorn Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89142. “Stop by anytime and be sure to bring your friends and family!” Flores said.
Learn more about the Solidarity Fridge, get updates for the library, and learn about related community actions by checking out its Link Tree and by following the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
