Iron Rail Book Collective: New Orleans' Radical Library and Infoshop
The Iron Rail Book Collective is a volunteer-run radical library and anarchist bookstore based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Operating as an infoshop—a space dedicated to the exchange of radical information and community organizing—the collective provides a hub for those interested in non-authoritarian structures and social activism.
Beyond its role as a bookstore, the Iron Rail serves as a lending library and a community center, hosting a diverse array of events including workshops, art presentations, and lectures from visiting speakers. It has also served as a venue for benefit performances, including a show by artist Kimya Dawson.
Key Facts
- Nature: Volunteer-run radical library, anarchist bookstore, and infoshop.
- Core Focus: Lending library with over 5,000 titles on anarchism, socialism, and philosophy.
- Special Collection: Home to the Above Ground Zine Library, featuring thousands of rare zines.
- Organization: Managed by anti-police volunteers using a non-authoritarian structure.
- Current Location: Located within the CANOA venue at 4210 St. Claude Avenue (as of April 2026).
A History of Resilience and Relocation
The Iron Rail has navigated several transitions since its inception. From 2003 until 2011, the collective was located at 511 Marigny Street in a building known as "The Ark." In March 2011, the New Orleans Police Department evicted the entire building, citing alleged code and permit violations. The collective disputed these claims, arguing that as a non-profit organization, the requested permits were unnecessary.
This eviction caused the temporary closure of the Iron Rail, along with other community projects such as the Plan-B New Orleans Community Bike Project and Hasbin Wilby’s Recycled Art Supplies.
Following the eviction, the collective moved to 503 Barracks Street, where it remained until February 2014. For a period afterward, the bookstore operated via occasional pop-up events at various New Orleans venues. By April 2026, the Iron Rail established a presence within the Caribbean And New Orleanian Arts (CANOA) cultural and music venue at 4210 St. Claude Avenue in the Bywater neighborhood.
The Library and Zine Collections
The Radical Lending Library
The heart of the collective is its extensive lending library, which has housed over 5,000 titles. It was notably the first project to reopen following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The library offers memberships for both residents and non-residents, providing access to literature on:
- Political Theory: Anarchism, socialism, and labor struggles.
- Social Issues: Race relations, feminism, and protest activism.
- General Interest: Philosophy, art, language, health, parenting, and fiction.
The Above Ground Zine Library
The Iron Rail is also the custodian of the Above Ground Zine Library. This collection was moved to the collective by Robb Roemershauser after a punk warehouse on Banks Street was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The library contains thousands of zines (small-circulation, self-published works), including several rare editions.
The Bookstore and Community Hub
In addition to its library services, the Iron Rail sells a curated selection of political and underground books. The bookstore's inventory covers a wide spectrum of radical thought, including ecology, primitivism, Native American studies, globalization, capitalist exploitation, and studies on prisons and police. The shop has also sold records, local CDs, and cheap used fiction.
The collective is run by volunteers who aim to model a non-authoritarian organizational structure. This commitment makes the Iron Rail more than just a shop; it is a meeting place for various activist groups and a center for radical discourse in New Orleans.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Functions | Lending Library, Bookstore, Infoshop, Activist Hub |
| Key Collections | Radical books (5,000+ titles), Above Ground Zine Library |
| Core Topics | Anarchism, Socialism, Feminism, Ecology, Labor Struggles |
| Current Home | CANOA, 4210 St. Claude Avenue, Bywater |
| Digital Presence | Instagram: @ironrailarchive |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an infoshop?
An infoshop is a space, often volunteer-run, that focuses on the exchange of radical information, providing resources like libraries and bookstores to support community organizing and political education.
Where is the Iron Rail Book Collective located now?
As of April 2026, it is located within the CANOA (Caribbean And New Orleanian Arts) venue at 4210 St. Claude Avenue in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans.
What is the Above Ground Zine Library?
It is a collection of thousands of self-published zines, including rare items, which found a home at the Iron Rail after the original punk warehouse on Banks Street was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
How is the Iron Rail organized?
The collective is managed by anti-police volunteers who utilize a non-authoritarian structure of organizing to serve as a practical model for their political beliefs.
What topics are covered in the library?
The library features a wide range of topics, including anarchism, socialism, feminism, race relations, ecology, labor struggles, philosophy, art, and parenting.