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The Book's the Thing / Bookshops

May 24, 2007

Women & Children First: A Bookstore with a Social Conscience

Women & Children First

5233 N. Clark St.

Chicago, IL 60640

Tel: 773.769.6729

http://womenchildren.booksense.com

Women & Children First is one of the more fortunate indies. In danger of having to close its doors forever, they decided to fight back, opening a MySpace site and rallying to their own very worthy cause. Due to their own efforts they've increased sales enough to keep their doors open for now, but as with any business effort it's crucial their sales continue on the current upward trend.

As far as bookstores go, WCF has a huge heart. Below I've copied information from their website highlighting how much they've given back to the community. They are to be commended for everything they do.

I'm featuring them today in order to help promote them as widely as possible. If you're in the Chicago area I hope you'll drop in and have a browse at the store. If not, you can visit their website.

From their website:

About W&CF and the Women's Voices Fund

The Women’s Voices Fund was established in November, 2005, to help support feminist programming at Women & Children First (see Vision and Mission statements below). Contributions are most appreciated. Contributions of $50 or more are tax deductible and are processed by the Crossroads Fund. To receive a tax deduction on this level of contribution, please make checks payable to Crossroads Fund. Non-deductible contributions should be made payable to the Women’s Voices Fund. Both deductible and non-deductible contributions can also be made by Visa or Master Card. All contributions should be sent directly to Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60640. They can also be processed by phone at 773-769-9299.

Women Voices Fund Vision:

The Women’s Voices Fund will ensure that events featuring women writers, fostering discussion of feminist issues and culture, and nurturing children’s delight in books will continue to play a vital role in Chicago’s intellectual, literary, and political life.

Women's Voices Fund Mission:

The Women’s Voices Fund, a project of Women & Children First Bookstore and a grantee of the Crossroads Fund, raises money to help sustain and develop an ongoing program series focused on women’s lives, ideas, and work. Women & Children First, a unique resource in the Chicago community and the only venue to offer regular programming with such a focus, has provided the sole financial support for this series for over 25 years. Outside support through the Women’s Voices Fund is crucial to guaranteeing that a wide and diverse range of women’s voices and the best voices in children’s literature continue to be heard.

Our History and Purpose:

Women & Children First began in a modest storefront in 1979. Over the years we've moved twice and recently expanded in our current location into an adjoining storefront. We're in a northside Chicago neighborhood known for its diversity, lesbian-friendliness, women-owned businesses and community spirit. Our staffers include teachers, graduate students, professional writers and storytellers, political activists, board members, and poets. Each of us is a reader, a feminist, and a bookseller. Our purpose in beginning the store 20 years ago was to promote the work of women writers and to create a place in which all women would find books reflecting their lives and interests. We strive to do this in an atmosphere in which all are respected, valued, and well-served. That is our purpose still, online as well as in the store.

We are one of the largest feminist bookstores in the country, stocking more than 30,000 books by and about women, children's books for all ages, and the best of lesbian and gay fiction and non-fiction. Anything we don't have in stock we can usually get in a few days' time, even if it's a title outside our specialty. We also carry music, videos, magazines and pride products.

Posted by lisa at 9:42 AM | Comments (0)

August 11, 2006

A Gem in Dundee: Steeplejack Books

Having the day off yesterday I was free to roam the streets. Book vendors everywhere generally find this a windfall, but seldom do I have a truly new place to rave about from my ramblings. After seeing this place I knew I'd have to share the information on my blogs. It's just heaven for a book lover!

Steeplejack Books in West Dundee looks like the idyllic sort of charming bookshop you'd find in a small village in Britain. What's more, they have managed to pack an incredible amount of quality stock into its somewhat modest space. Steeplejack sells used and new books, and can order anything you could possibly need. They're a full-service independent bookshop located on Main Street in West Dundee.

In addition to the thoughtfully selected books themselves, they also sell those wonderful moleskine notebooks I personally use for all manner of journaling, from book reviewing to travel and beyond. I wouldn't be without my moleskines.

Here's a photo of what I managed to find there:

Couldn't walk out empty-handed, after all...

If you're in the area please do consider popping by this bookshop. There's a very good chance you'll find me ferretting in the corner if you do!

Steeplejack Books
125 West Main Street
West Dundee, IL

847.836-7871

http://www.steeplejackbooks.com/

Posted by lisa at 10:18 AM | Comments (0)