A Living Library was conceived and founded by Bonnie Ora Sherk (1945–2021), an artist, landscape architect, and educator who was the chief designer and a lead teacher for over thirty years. She had worked prior with diverse communities and youth as the founding director of the nonprofit Crossroads Community (the farm) known as The Farm in San Francisco. While living in New York, Bonnie first developed the idea of A Living Library in March 1981. A Living Library (A.L.L.) became the name for a proposed environment with integrated community programs, based on a plan she developed for Bryant Park in New York City, adjacent to, and incorporating, the Main Research Branch of the New York Public Library.
This Plan called for bringing the Library outside with Gardens of Knowledge arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System in the perimeter areas of the Park and International Gardens in the center of the Park; all to be linked via technology to A.L.L. and Branch Living Library & Think Parks around the world.
Each themed garden was to be integrated with a variety of plants, related artworks, and educational/cultural programs and linked to schools and other organizations and resources in the area — regionally, nationally, and internationally. The later, very successful international fashion shows held in Bryant Park each year for Fashion Week were part of her original proposal, conceived as a way to generate revenue and interest in A.L.L.
Local & Global Branch Living Library & Think Parks
The goal was then, and still is now, to create Branch Think Parks & Gardens locally and globally, with the intent of integrating resources in each locale, using them more systemically, sustainably, and effectively. The commonalities and diversities of each place — ecological, built, and multicultural — would be shared. The vision is that A Living Library will bring greater understanding amongst individuals and groups, and lead us closer to world peace and prosperity for all.
In 1992, Sherk founded the nonprofit Life Frames, Inc. to support the educational work of A.L.L. She designed and established the currently active Branches on Roosevelt Island, New York City (2001–present), and Bernal Heights (2002–present) and OMI/Excelsior (1998–present) in San Francisco. She also developed and created the Bernal Heights Nature Walk (2002-2011) and a former Branch in Chinatown, San Francisco (2007–2016).
Multiple other master plans for Branch Living Library & Think Parks were proposed, publicized, and published, including sites for civic centers, schools, libraries, parks, and other open spaces and institutions. A.L.L. plans, writings, and interviews have been published and exhibited in numerous art, media, and education venues including galleries, museums, print, radio, and television.
Honors and Awards of A Living Library
Media coverage and numerous commendations of A.L.L. underscore its longstanding involvement in diverse communities. Of significant interest is the nomination of A Living Library and Life Frames, Inc. for the Computerworld Smithsonian Award by Steve Jobs in 2000. The primary source material submitted on A Living Library and Life Frames, Inc. is now part of the Smithsonian Museum’s permanent collection. Additionally, A.L.L. was nominated in 2004 to be part of the United Nations Habitat Best Practices Database in Improving the Local Environment and is on the United Nations Habitat website.
Video – Bonnie Ora Sherk: Evolution of Life Frames © 2002
