SARATOGA SPRINGS — Caffe Lena unveiled its Banned Book Lending Library with a night of live readings on Aug. 24.
A Standing Room Only crowd, featured a staged reading of book excerpts - John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice & Men,” Anne Frank’s “Diary of a Young Girl,” George Orwell’s “1984,” JD Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye,” Anthony Burgess’ “Clockwork Orange” – among them. Barbara Lombardo was host emcee.
The café’s “little liberty library” stands in the venue’s courtyard, and depicts lady liberty in full spirit of life, clutching the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights in one hand, and holding up Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” and James Joyce’s “Ulysses” in the other.
The library is open for business, and visitors may drop off a book, pick out a book, or do both. Banned or challenged books only, please – lists may be found at any number of sources online. People dropping off a book during the café’s open hours are invited to bring it inside and a plate with your name will be placed upon the donated book.
