‘Human chain’ will carry books to new Porter Square Books location

The independent bookstore is moving just 1,000 feet away to a bigger location at Lesley University on Massachusetts Avenue this month.

Porter Square Books in Cambridge is moving just 1,000 feet down Massachusetts Avenue this month, and they’re going to bring their first stock to the new location by using a relay of volunteers as a “human chain.”

The “book chain” will start at the bookstore’s current location at 25 White Street on Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. Volunteers will form a chain, and pass books person-to-person through the parking lot of the Porter Square Shopping Center, across Somerville Avenue, and to their new location in Lesley University’s University Hall.

The “fiercely independent” bookstore is asking any potential volunteers to RSVP.

Porter Square Books celebrated its 20th anniversary in September, but co-owner David Sandberg previously told Boston.com that a move is vital for the bookstore to grow.

The new space, located in Lesley University’s art-deco style hall, is 40 percent larger than the current location, which will add more space, cafe seating, bathrooms, and accessibility.

“This move is a terrific opportunity to provide for the long-term growth of Porter Square Books. It allows us to move to a bigger, nicer space in an iconic building right on Mass Ave., with a landlord that is focused on community building and local business,” Sandberg said in a news release.

The bookstore’s longtime coffeeshop partner Cafe Zing will not be moving with Porter Square Books. Instead, PSB will host a new cafe Page & Leaf Cafe, which will be run by Jennifer Park and Tucker Lewis, founders of Somerville’s Diesel Cafe and Bloc Cafe.

The store’s last day on White Street will be Oct. 7, and their opening day on Massachusetts Avenue hasn’t been announced yet.