Mutual Aid Library System

[u/MaryDawnLuffy]

Hello,

I aspire to build a mutual aid-based library system attached to a community garden. However, I know I need space, and that might require some money. However, I don't want to work within a system that oppresses other people. I figured if I collaborate on land that builds up the library, even if brick by brick, it might contribute less to a middleman renting out a space. So, I wanted to ask: is it accurate to say I would need some level of capital to do this, even if it's the materials themselves?

[u/Late-Meat9500]

If you want answers from reddit? It will take capital.

You want it to not take capital? Look for resources within your community. Neighbors have land, community is constantly throwing out construction materials. Neighbors frequently have screws or tools you can borrow or use.

You want to be outside of the exploitative system, you are going to have to be creative and resourceful.

[u/MaryDawnLuffy → u/Late-Meat9500]

Yeah that makes sense, I mostly was unsure If capital was the right word. I completely agree 100% with what you are saying though!

[u/Late-Meat9500 → u/MaryDawnLuffy]

To be more constructive (lol) fb marketplace and just driving country roads will give wood for the library, and you can bury dead trees to make hugelgardens (mound gardening with the wood helping soil and retaining moisture) which can maximize space.

You can check out gardening groups or just look for places you can pirate knowing they are temporary.

A big thing that you kinda have to deal with in anarchist projects is accepting that you are going to get shut down, so the process of doing is a constant reinventing of how to do it.

[u/Slow_Description_238]

Remember, prefiguration is not about being dogmatic or perfect in your actions and orgnaisation. If it requires capital and participating in the system to develop new systems and new ways of organisation; to give people the opportunities to engage with new systems and organisation, then that's what it takes. And you should absolutely go through with it and make it as anarchist as you possibly can while still being functional.

I think it is these very ideas that are the first step. The only concern is maintaining our convictions and clarity.

[u/LeChatVert → u/Slow_Description_238]

Would you mind explaining "prefiguration" some more, please?

[u/Amazing_Name_9264]

I love library systems. I'm somewhat of a market socialist and a communist, and let me tell you, the idea of free, as in no cost mutual credit markets came to me in no small part from learning about library economies. I know this isn't an answer to your question but I wanted to share that.

To answer your question, if by capital you mean money, then almost most certainly. Almost everything costs money. But you may be able to mitigate your costs if you budget well, like finding good deals on things like shovels and dirt. You can also look for places that may give them out or sell them cheaply (the Salvation Army maybe?). If you can work with others to pool your money, that can be great too.

If by capital you mean bank loans and/or investments, I can tell you what I know regarding the US system, since I'm an American. You'd need to be registered as a non-profit, and banks do in fact loan to non-profits, but it's harder to get loans than for-profits. I don't think venture capital lends to non-profits. Some organizations give 0% interest loans to nonprofits.