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.
Village Books was established in 1980 by Chuck and Dee Robinson, as an independent bookstore located in Bellingham's Fairhaven District. The Robinsons and Village Books are recognized for long-term and significant roles in contributing to the expansion and revitalization of local community. Throughout its history, Village Books has engaged in and supported a wide range of community events and programs, including but not limited to author presentations and readings, book groups, the Chuckanut Writers workshops and conference, and the Chuckanut Radio Hour. Chuck and Dee Robinson have been active members of professional organizations such as the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and the American Booksellers Association, and received awards for their civic engagement and philanthropic work.
The original Village Books was located at 1206 11th Street in Fairhaven, but moved into the nearby "Knights of Pythias" building in September 1982, providing room for the Robinson's new card and gift shop, Paper Dreams. Following completion of a brand-new facility in 2004, the Fairhaven bookstore moved into its present-day location at 1200 11th Street. A second Village Books was opened in Lynden, Washington in 2015. In 2016, the Robinsons sold the two Village Books bookstores and Paper Dreams to longtime employees Paul Hanson, Kelly Evert and Sarah Hutton.
Chuck and Dee Robinson (founders and long-time owners of Village Books) donated the Village Books Records to the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies in 2018. The collection has continued to grow, with periodic additions made by Chuck and Dee Robinson.
The collection is open to the public.
Village Books Records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Archives and Special Collections, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
The Rand Jack Papers at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies include additional materials relating to the 1988-1989 legal case against the City of Bellingham.
To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and
teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see
our
Chuck Robinson, It Takes A Village Books: Thirty-Five Years of Building Community, One Book at a Time (Chuckanut Editions, 2015).
This file contains graphic content and imagery that many individuals may find offensive and disturbing.
This file contains graphic content and imagery that many individuals may find offensive and disturbing
Includes copy of open letter written by Nikki Craft to Chuck Robinson
Materials documenting the design, planning and zoning process relating to the construction of the Village Books store at 1200 11th Street in Fairhaven.