sheri crider in collaboration with FRONTERISTXS
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ABOLITIONIST BOOK? https://www.bkwrks.com/mobile-abolition-library-book-drive (this is our 300 book list of books slated for the mobile library)
In the spirit of generosity and abolition, we hope to have multiple copies of books to leave with readers and communities. We are so grateful to Bookworks one of Albuquerque’s last remaining local, independent bookstores is our incredible local partner hosting the book drive to community source the physical books for the library. Authors, book lovers, Abolitionists world wide are encouraged to purchase the books for the traveling library. Click here to purchase books and become a supporter of this project, we also accept used books. Find our complete book list here.
The Mobile Abolition Library is an initiative pushing against one-dimensional narratives of crimes and punishment. The mobile library is a three hundred book library, collection of abolition centered zines, an abolition seed library and a digital portrait archive of incarcerated narratives. The project underscores the importance of reimagining public spaces as living, dynamic spaces that can amplify marginalized voices while supporting complicated conversations to envision a more equitable future.
The ambitious project is a collaboration between sheri crider and Bernadine Hernández and Martín Wannam, members of FRONTERISTXS Collective in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Mobile Abolition Library will be housed in a Ford E Transit designed and built out by a coalition of system impacted youth and adults coordinated by Art for Justice fellow sheri crider.
Our engagement strategy is centered in its foundational belief that people of diverse communities need to talk to each other to shift local and regional narratives on crime and safety. We believe an abolitionist future is unattainable situated in binary conversations. The project will welcome vulnerability, care and listening. Strategically, the library and its programming will travel to diverse sites, ranging from community libraries, grocery stores, farmers markets to detention centers, malls and community organizing sites. We will seek out community members to address meaningful local issues, ranging from mass incarceration, state/federal economic reinvestment of community resources, to migrant rights. Tailored outreach at every stop ensures maximal impact. In border areas like Columbus, the focus shifts to migrant narratives and border stories. In proximity to private/state/federal prison zones, we lean into our C.A.R.E program to educate communities about transformative justice. As we traverse throughout New Mexico, we hope to rewrite narratives, inspire conversations, and build a future rooted in understanding, compassion, and justice.
The Mobile Abolition Library will be an ongoing project in coordination with a 2026 statewide series of exhibitions and activations. The series is centered on criminal justice reform and community reinvestment, organized by sheri crider for their Art For Justice Fellowship. The series of museum exhibitions includes Site Santa Fe, University of New Mexico Art Museum, New Mexico State University Art Museum.
Given the pressing issues of mass incarceration, migrant detention, and systemic inequities in New Mexico, the project is designed to play a pivotal role in fostering understanding, sparking conversations, and catalyzing action towards a more just and equitable future. The state of New Mexico has a heavy reliance on private prisons, which account for 43% of incarcerations, underscores a systemic issue that necessitates urgent redress. While publicly run prisons are harsh and also problematic, New Mexico’s unique position with the private run facilities lack oversight, which makes conditions in these detentions, prisons and jails deplorable with more known health violations, exploitative labor conditions, physical abuse, higher use of solitary confinement, and more limited legal resources.
There are multiple other ways you can be involved and request the Mobile Abolition Library to visit your site. Please send all inquiries to stfsubmissions@gmail.com.
Thank you to our partners and supporters!
