Jared Mitchell is a librarian, passionate about empowering hyperlocal communities to communicate, compromise, and collaborate towards the design, development, and governance of their urban environments.

Mitchell has created and manages a network of free libraries in Oakland, CA to support the community engagement component of placemaking projects for the City of Oakland’s Department of Transportation and business improvement districts. Additionally, Mitchell works for the CODEX Foundation, using Islandora to create a digital catalog that will enable access to the foundation’s evolving library of artist and reference books for the foundation’s international audience.

Building on his undergraduate education in Political Science and decade of experience across education policy, Congressional staffing, and the financial services industry, Mitchell is currently earning a Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) from the University of Southern California (USC).

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"Everybody know what this song's about. They be tryna hide the history.
But they know who we are" (Soldier, Erykah Badu, 2008).

Quick maths. In 2 years, the 47th President will nominate the next Librarian of Congress to be confirmed by the Senate for a 10-year term.

The other day, someone recommended that the library's doors be replaced with a transparent material, so people could see the books.

I, personally, think it's a great idea. But where would we put all of these cool stickers?

Shout out to @lemonade51o for making incredible and accessible Bay Area inspired art.

The other day, I saw their post for the US Gov sticker, and was like, nah I need that. And while placing my order, I saw these stickers, and was like, nah, I need

What if librarians weren't just at libraries, but also at parks and restaurants, studios and galleries, city council meetings, and the Zoom events that people are too busy to attend?

What if.....hmmmmmmmm. Are you a librarian too? Lately, I've been

Baby steps, but I think my goal is to deaccession at least 40% of my book collection. I need to make room for the new.

In full transparency, I'm still developing my strategy for cataloging and circulation. But that strategy is developing.

In the

This afternoon, I washed the outside of the little free library and updated the waterproofing on the right door.

Community did the rest. So, to all of the hands, hearts, and minds that have informed what this library is, thank you for participating

She asked me, what are you going to do with the Michelle Obama book? And I said, it can't be mine if it's yours.

Complete non-sequitur. I just ordered a bunch of stickers from @lemonade51o for the sticker gallery.

I think those are all of my libr

Want to connect for a reference interview or to talk about potential partnerships? Send me a message.