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Serving the People: Information-Sharing at the Baltimore and DC Occupy Encampments By David Piper and Beth Emmerling. Our Presentation. Brief Description of Occupy Movement How Information is Shared at Occupy DC On-site Libraries Use of Online Sources Challenges of Being the
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Serving the People: Information-Sharing at the Baltimore and DC Occupy EncampmentsBy David Piper and Beth Emmerling
Our Presentation • Brief Description of Occupy Movement • How Information is Shared at Occupy DC • On-site Libraries • Use of Online Sources • Challenges of Being the Occupy Baltimore Librarian Occupy Baltimore Participant Oct 2011
Occupy DC McPherson Square Encampment • Established first week of October 2011 at McPherson Square (“Liberty Plaza”) • Strategically located at 15th and K Streets McPherson Square Encampment Jan 2012
Occupy DC McPherson Square Encampment • Participants at McPherson Square were generally younger (20s) • First demonstration • Diverse GA Meeting Occupy DC Oct 2, 2011
Library at Occupy DCMcPherson Square • Encampment grows, as does library at Occupy DC • Early November: Construction began on structurethat would house the books better • “Information” available in various formats on different subjects Occupy DC Library Late-January 2012
Library at Occupy DCMcPherson Square • Materials donated “as needed” • Collection arranged by genre and format Inside Occupy DC Library Jan 2012
Other Sources of Information • Information Tent: “Introductory” Information Occupy Baltimore Info Tent Oct 2011
Other Sources of Information Various Handouts and Brochures Bulletin Boards
Occupy Baltimore Encampment • Begins October 14, 2011 • McKeldin Square in downtown Baltimore • Surrounded by major banks • Young, white, middle-class Activists at Occupy Baltimore Oct 2011
Occupy Baltimore Encampment Population shifts Food and healthcare for all Occupy Baltimore Residents Oct 2011
Library at Occupy Baltimore • Established third day of encampment • Materials donated WordPress used for on-line library LibraryThing used to catalog books Occupy Baltimore Library Oct 2011
Library at Occupy Baltimore • Informal user interviews • Changing demographics influenced collection development • Access to information for people without public library cards Occupy Baltimore Library Oct 2011
Eviction of Occupy Baltimore and Occupy DC Encampments • December 12: Occupy Baltimore shut down • February 4: Occupy DC shut down Tents disposedat Occupy Baltimore Dec 2011
Online Sources of Information • Occupy Baltimore and Occupy DC Websites (Various types of Info) • Schedule of Upcoming Events • Links to Facebook/Twitter Pages • Up-to-the-minute Updates during actions • Requests for donations of materials needed • Link to Occupy Baltimore Library Page • Phone calls to people without internet
Occupy Baltimore Actions Schools Not Jails Action: School Was In Session The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass Was Mic-Checked Prior to Arrests
Rewards and ChallengesOf Being Occupy Librarian Diversity Provide books to all people I am always working on ways to minimize the digital divide
For Future Research • Other Type of Information? • Actions and demonstrations • Community transitioning with long term goals • on- line info and changing needs • Anonymous Occupy Baltimore Participant, Brandi Cross, Oct 2011
Thank You! Please Feel Free to Contact Us David Piper capsredswiz@yahoo.com Beth Emmerling bemm14@gmail.com
