The Alternatives Library is a collection of resources dealing with social change. Because we believe that our futures depend on discovering new, nonexploitive ways to live and work, we provide, zines, books, magazines, pamphlets, and newspapers, which can provide information and opportunities for the community to work together for social change.
The Alternatives Library was a Student Government Association (SGA) funded and student determined collection of resources which operated with support of the Public Services Department of the Salem State College Library during the 1970s. The two primary purposes of the Alternatives Library were to provide materials not generally available in the main library collection and to participate in community outreach activities.
The collection started with Public Services Librarian, Janet Freedman, who worked with students to collect resources that were of interest to the student population. A small portion of the student activities fee went towards the purchasing of materials. The Alternatives Library was housed in the old library in a space that was welcoming to students. It overlooked Salem Harbor, had comfy seating (bean bags!), plants, and opportunities for students to come together to talk and share ideas. It was the precursor to a Student Union.
At some point in the early 90s the ALC was disbanded and the collection was dispersed throughout the general stacks where they lay hidden until they were (re)discovered in December 2023 by Zine Librarian, Dawn Stahura.
Students in Professor Tiffany Chenault's SOC 302 - Black Political and Social Thought created a 'blind date with a book' display to go along with the work they did with the alternatives library collection. Each student selected two books from the collection, read and reviewed them. Later, they wrapped and decorated their books. The list below are the texts they selected. If you are interested in checking out these works, please stop by the IDEA Den and see if you can guess which book is which!
To read the student reviews, click on the titles below.