Pop-up libraries have become very common, but there’s a special one in Bed-Stuy that is attracting attention for only carrying works written by black women, Brooklyn News 12 reports.

The Free Black Women’s Library was started by Ola Ronke Akinmowo three years ago with just 100 books. The library now carries over 900 books, and while it is based in Brooklyn, the pop-up has also traveled to Philly, Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore. The one standing rule is if someone takes a book, they must replace it with another one. The pop-up takes place at least once a month and there’s always a theme.

"I thought that books would be an interesting way of bringing people together," Akinmowo told News 12 about her inspiration for the pop-up.

According to a 2016 profile by Splinter, Akinmowo originally wanted the installation to be carted around by bike in a trailer. Thanks to a number of generous donations, however, she ended up with 400 books, and had to think bigger. Her goal is for the collection to have a permanent home in a RV so it can travel even further.

Ultimately, Akimowo wants to create a special space for black people. “Part of the library’s aim is just about black folks taking up space,” she said. To that end, the library hosts workshops and other gatherings.

“We’re gonna take up this space — with all of our books, and all of our bodies, and all of our minds, and all of our thoughts, and all of our music, all of our fashion and flyness, all of our melanin," Akinmowo said. "We’ll take over this space for the whole entire day, and you’re just gonna have to deal.”

the free black women's library

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