Dreams Are Made Of

Text and images by Luiza Swierzawska.

Nestled in the vibrant neighborhood of Washington Heights, Word Up Community Bookshop/Librería Comunitaria draws committed volunteers who share the goal of making literature and a community-centered space more accessible.

Co-founded in 2011 by Emmanuel Abreu, Veronica Santiago Liu (pictured above) and a group of others as a temporary pop-up, the shop soon grew into a permanent neighborhood hub, located at 2113 Amsterdam Avenue.

Today, Word Up Community Bookshop is operated by more than 60 neighborhood volunteers. 

The shop boasts a rich selection of books, primarily focused on underrepresented groups whose stories have long been overlooked.

Abreu (below, with Liu) is a New York City–based photographer who organizes Uptown Photowalk, a monthly meetup that brings together photography enthusiasts.

The staff is committed to creating a space where kids can immerse themselves in the literary world. On September 7, they will host Uptown Kid Lit, a children’s book festival where young readers can participate in workshops, host readings, games and many more.