“LITANIES FOR SURVIVAL”
Community Library + Reading Room
April 13th, 2024 - January 30th, 2025
A co-curated free community library and reading room.
0ffering a liberatory learning space where the reading of diverse narratives and critical histories by marginalized voices is encouraged rather than censored and stifled. Here we celebrate writing, reading, and sharing of literature as a form of resistance. cultivating community learning, expanding language, and cultural exchange in Chicago.
READ FULL PRESS RELEASE BELOW:
This installation will be housed in our “Casita” Room located within our apothecary giftshop
The Honeycomb Network and Rootwork Gallery Announce the Launch of Litanies for Survival:
We envision the library growing to 1,000 volumes and invite authors and community members to donate a new or used copy of one or more of the books listed here or other works by and about banned authors or critical histories (and all genres) related to the lived experiences of people of Color and/or people who identify as LGBTQIA.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Collective Silent Reading Days: May-August 2024:
The first community library dedicated to centering the books and authors that have been or are at risk of being banned, Litanies For Survival, seeks to encourage critical reading as a collective practice. Our silent reading series is created to foster that reading practice and to create space for the discussion of ideas that support our liberation and wellness
UPCOMING SALONS:
Save the date: June 30th
10am-11:30am - Revolutionary Readers: Litanies for Survival Children’s Story Time.
2pm-4pm - Building a liberatory home library
**NEW MERCH DROP!**
Our first official tote design for our LITANIES FOR SURVIVAL: Library + Reading Room had to be a tote that can hold all of your books!
*ALL SALES SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY PROGRAM
Pack all of your favorite goods in this spacious organic cotton tote bag. Fill it up with groceries, books, and travel essentials—there’s room for everything!
• 100% certified organic cotton 3/1 twill
• Fabric weight: 8 oz/yd² (272 g/m²)
• Dimensions: 20″ × 14″ × 5″ (50.8 × 35.6 × 12.7 cm)
• Capacity: 6 gallons (23 l)
• Weight limit: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
The Honeycomb Network has teamed up with Rootwork GAllery for co-curation of this year long installation
About Tracie D. Hall (she/her):
Tracie Is a librarian, artist, and founding curator of Rootwork Gallery which operated in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago from (2016-2020). During its operation, Rootwork’s exhibitions took inspiration from texts by authors such as Gloria Anzaldua, James Baldwin, Amiri Baraka, Octavia Butler, Lucille Clifton, Franz Fanon, Bessie Head, and Audre Lorde. Nationally regarded for her leadership and activism in the library and arts sectors, Tracie is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Foundation and recipient of the Medal for Freedom of Speech and Free Expression from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Institute.
“WITHOUT COMMUNITY THERE IS NO LIBERATION” - Audre Lorde
About Denise Ruiz (she/her/ella):
Denise is the founder and director of The Honeycomb Network, a co-working, co-creating and collective care space located in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood where she was born and raised. Denise unapologetically centers BIPOC brilliance, especially femmes. She was the visionary co-curator and co-founder of Books, Brunch & Botánica (est. 2017 - 2020) which would incorporate used books at these pop-up events meant to center accessible knowledge, wellness and nourishment, because in her perspective and experience, these three are inextricably linked. As the founder and director of The Honeycomb Network, she has continued to incorporate literature and learning through curated books sold in the apothecary gift shop as well as a book exchange program and author visits.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
RSVP TO OUR SOFT LAUNCH TODAY!
Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for up to date info on this initiative as well as other programming of The Honeycomb Network!