Alternative Library

The library on N. Forest street in Bellingham, Wa. isn't the average library a reader would come across. The Alternative Library, located at 717 N. Forest St. was created by a group of people, the Sushi Tribe, who wanted something more than what they were finding at the public libraries.
Cullen Beckhorn, 23, came up with an idea for an alternative library about three years ago. “The books that we buy and let people check out are only books that people are asking for,” he said. According to Beckhorn, the library survives off of monthly donations. To check out books at the Alternative Library there is a $5 monthly fee, but the reader can keep the book for how ever long they want. “There is always a running request list,” he said.
The library, which consists of a little over 2,000 books, has a large collection of graphic novels and comic books. There are also specific sections dedicated to books on philosophy, spirituality and culture.
The Sushi Tribe
The library took over the living room of a 3-story house where ten people live. Jeff Krajewski, 24, has been living in the Alternative Library since it started. Krajewski said he used to live in another “sushi house” before moving into the house on N. Forest street. When asked what a sushi house was, Krajewski explained the concept of Sushi Night. Krajewski said Sushi Night is a weekly gathering where he other members and friends get together, play music, make sushi and dance.“It's basically a bad-ass community. We get together every week,” he said.
Krajewski said all of the members of the Sushi Tribe as well as people living in the Alternative Library house are talented artistically and musically. Many people living there play at least one instrument, sing, paint or express themselves through art in some other way. “The focus of the house is
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expression,” said Krajewski.
Other Activities Besides the Alternative Library
Besides living in a home with a library for a living room and creative minds all around, the Sushi Tribe has many environmental interests as well. The group participates in a growing movement called Food Not Bombs. Every Friday, the people at the Alternative Library house use food that would otherwise be thrown away and prepare meals to serve in a public area for anyone to eat.
After they feed the community on Friday's, the Alternative Library house does what they call Skills Share on Saturday's. Every member of the Sushi Tribe has some sort of skill or talent that they will teach to anyone else who wants to learn. Over the past month, members have taught others about cooking with raw foods, how to practice natural healing as well as a resume workshop. “It's very educational living here,” said Kajewski. Living among books and people who want to learn, express and share is what the Alternative Library house is all about.
“It's revolutionary and epic!” said Beckhorn.
The Sushi Tribe has been together for about 5 years now, and they don't plan on going anywhere. The group is very welcoming to new people and curious minds as well. “It only gets more powerful with more humans involved,” said Beckhorn.
The Alternative Library is open weekdays from 2 p.m. To 7 p.m. And weekends from 3 p.m. To 7 p.m.