Bring the Floating Library to St. Paul this summer.

The Floating Library is a collection of books made by artists, aboard a raft, on a lake, accessible by boat.  Patrons paddle out in canoes and kayaks to browse the shelves and check out books to read while they drift on the water. 

Started in August 2013 by artist Sarah Peters as a one-weekend experiment, the project has grown and been presented on 3 Minnesota lakes in 2 years, as well as a winter edition in sunny Los Angeles, California. 

Since the beginning, over 100 artists have contributed their works of book art to the Library's collection, and hundreds of boaters have enjoyed them. 

"What a pleasant surprise! Crazy fun. I was out for a paddle in my kayak, and was sad that the summer was coming to an end. Running into the library was the high point of my day! I read a book with my feet dangling in the water and just let the gentle wind drift."  

–Louise, Floating Library visitor, 2014

Visit the Floating Library website to see images and read stories of our time on the water. 

In September 2015 the Floating Library was awarded a Knight Arts Challenge Grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to float on Lake Phalen in St. Paul, MN in the summer of 2016.  

The winter ice has melted, it's time to get going!  

Knight Challenge awards require a 1:1 match, so we need to raise $10,000. 
The Floating Library was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Metropolitan Arts Council (thank you, MRAC!) and we raised an additional $2,000 at the fantastically fun Floating & Drawing Fundraiser at Schmidt Artist Lofts in March. 

That means we only have $3,000 left to go. Thanks for your support! 

What are the funds used for? 

Aside from the necessary equipment needed to conduct on event with boats on water (sunscreen! rope! ziplock bags! life jackets!), the majority of the funds to present the Library this summer are used for: 

• Commissioning stipends for artists to make new books for the Library
  
• A crew to set up and paddle the Library's raft on the water 
  
• A part-time captain to recruit and guide the Volunteer Floating Librarians
  
• New book shelves! After 2 years of colliding canoes, the shelving needs repair
  

What is an artist's book? 

All of the books in the Floating Library's collection are made by artists. Many of them are one-of-a kind and take forms ranging from photocopied zines to letterpress printed & hand-bound volumes to commercially printed books.  
Funding from the Knight Foundation and from YOU will allow us to commission artists to make new books specifically for the Floating Library in St. Paul. 

How else can you help?

Not in a position to make a donation? No problem! Please share this campaign on social media using Indiegogo's handy share tools.  

If you already made a donation at the Floating & Drawing Fundraiser in March, many thanks!  Please show your love for the Floating Library by posting about this campaign. 

See you on the water!