Libros Schmibros

LIbros Schmibros is a Boyle Heights-based lending library that puts low or no cost books into all hands, native and immigrant, Eastside and Westside. Since its opening in 2010, it's welcomed 16,000 patrons and put 19,000 books into circulation in Boyle Heights and beyond.

Included in this number are students from the local Mendez High School, which has a large and robust book club. As Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez describes in this article, Libros Schmibros provides both books and programming for book club members. It also presents a book club at the Hammer Museum that focuses on books related to the museum's exhibitions.

As part of its distribution of books on the Eastside beyond its brick-and-mortar lending library on Mariarchi Square, Libros Schmibros plans to roll out a fleet of Bicycle Libraries and circulate English and Spanish language books at farmer's markets, grocery stores, loncheras, and other Metro-adjacent public spaces, all staffed by a specially trained cadre of volunteers.

Community Partners serves as the fiscal sponsor of Libros Schmibros.