Image courtesy of the Astoria Book FairGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Astorians banded together to support the community in many different waysGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. One such initiative is the Astoria Book Fair, a free book fair aimed to provide literature to all AstoriansGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

On Sunday, August 30th from 1-4PM the Astoria Book Fair will be handing out over 1,200 donated books to the community, free of cost, as part of the 31st Avenue Open Streets initiativeGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Donations were received from local bookshops, publishers, and members of the communityGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“The Astoria Book Fair was born out of the notion that books and education should be accessible to all, regardless of finances”, wrote co-organizer Pilot ViruetGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.  Both Viruet and co-organizer Liah Paterson have received support from the Astoria Mutual Aid Network, formed to support the community during the pandemic, as well as the People’s Bodega, which provides free PPE, water, and snacks to those in needGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

The lack of accessibility to libraries and online educational resources have become particularly prevalent in recent months, with many forced to stay home, including young studentsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. When co-organizer Liah Paterson was working with the Astoria Mutual Aid Network to help hand out food and register to vote, she received feedback from residents who wanted to see more books and educational resources availableGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Viruet and Paterson established the Astoria Book Fair, and received over 1,000 donations in just one weekGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Future plans are currently in the works to expand the initiative beyond the upcoming August 30th eventGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. The Astoria Book Fair hopes to soon hold a second round of donations to provide books to residents at the Queensbridge and Ravenswood HousesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Book donations are open to all types of books except cookbooks, self-help books, and textbooksGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Donations of books from queer authors and authors of color are especially welcomeGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

“The call to action isn’t going anywhereGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. There are a lot of people interested in volunteering and local businesses that really want to help”, said PatersonGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Additionally, for those interested in helping with future events, Paterson noted that volunteers for the August 30th event is at capacity, however a sign-up sheet has been created via the astoriabookfair email for volunteer consideration for future eventsGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Give Me Astoria would like to thank the organizers of the Astoria Book Fair for starting this wonderful community initiative! If you are interested in learning more about the 31st AveGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Open Street event, please visit its official website hereGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.