Archives West Finding Aid

This collection documents aspects of the history, activities and impact of Village Books, an independently-owned bookstore in Bellingham, Washington. The collection contains newsletters, and select subject files relating to issues of censorship, freedom of speech and related legal cases.

Newsletters dated from 1980 onwards document the activities, role and expansion of Village Books as a community-based business. Issues include recommendations for readers of all ages, best seller lists, and information about local literature and arts-related events and opportunities (including events and book groups sponsored by Village Books). The collection also contains issues of Village Books' separate newsletter for children, which began in Fall 1988.

Subject files contain clippings, correspondence and other materials relating to issues of free speech and censorship. These files include documentation of the American Civil Liberties Union's 1988 lawsuit against the City of Bellingham (blocking an attempted anti-pornography initiative), in which Village Books was one of four plaintiffs. The collection also includes materials about reactions to the publication and sale of Bret Easton Ellis' "An American Psycho", and a controversial 1990 issue of "Esquire" magazine, plus two files relating to the 1995 case brought against owners and managers of Bellingham business, The Newstand.

The collection also contains a small number of files pertaining to the design, planning and approval process for the construction of the store building at 1200 11th Street in Fairhaven.