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Bookpeople of Moscow records, 1971-2014

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Bookpeople of Moscow
Title
Bookpeople of Moscow records
Dates
1971-2014 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.75 linear feet of shelf space, (8 containers)
Collection Number
Cage 832 (collection)
Summary
The Bookpeople of Moscow was an independent bookstore founded in 1973. The Bookpeople of Moscow collection consists of publicity for the store, newsletters, financial documents, and records used for the day-to-day operation of the store. The collection also contains a small handful of digital files including videos and audio files commemorating the store's 40th anniversary.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

The Bookpeople of Moscow was formed in 1973 in Moscow, Idaho and was incorporated in 1977 as a worker-owned co-operative bookstore. Ivar Nelson was one of the driving forces behind the business during its initial years. As a locally owned, independent bookstore, the Bookpeople of Moscow has played an active role in promoting arts and culture in Moscow. In 1981, Robert Greene purchased the store, which he ran until 2011. While the co-operative was dissolved when Greene bought the store, the Bookpeople remained an important contributor to culture in Moscow and the Palouse. Under Greene, Bookpeople began to engage in video rental and the online book trade. In 2011, the store was purchased by Nicole and Steffen Werner and Walter and Carol Spurling under the name BooX without Borders, LLC, while the store retains its original name, the Bookpeople of Moscow.

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Content Description

This collection contains records related to the operation of the Bookpeople of Moscow bookstore in Moscow, Idaho from 1973-2011. The collection primarily consists of financial records, newsletters, event flyers, correspondence, and meeting notes from the organizations early days as a co-operative. The collection also contains floor plans and drawings of the building, as well as digital files about Bookpeople events. These include photographs, videos of the 40th anniversary, an interview with founder Ivar Nelson from 2013, flyers, and radio advertisements.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply.

Preferred Citation

[Item description]. Bookpeople of Moscow Records, 1971-2014. Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into three series. Series 1 and 2 are grouped according to owner. Series 3 contains an oral history of Ivar Nelson, photographs, and videos from the 40th Anniversary party.

Series 1: Ivar Nelson files, 1971-1982. This series is arranged into two subsereis: Administrative files and Subject files.

Subseries 1: Administrative files, 1974-1982. This subseries contains materials related to the organization of the store and eventual sale to Bob Greene in 1981, as well as financial documents. This includes bylaws, Bookpeople stock, and the sale contract.

Subseries 2: Subject files, 1971-1980 This subseries contains, financial records, promotional materials for Bookpeople events, staff meeting minutes, correspondence, and the store lease.

Series 2: Robert Greene files, 1982-2014. This series is arranged into three subseries: Administrative files and correspondence, Financial records, and Publicity and events.

Subseries 1: Administrative files and correspondence, 1982-2010. This subseries contains correspondence, procedures pertaining to the day-to-day operation of Bookpeople, business plans, and backups of the store hard drive.

Subseries 2: Financial records, 1981-2006. This subseries contains information about the Bookpeople’s sales and expenses and the store lease and subsequent mortgage.

Subseries 3: Publicity and events, 1988-2007. This subseries contains advertisements, scrapbooks, newsletters, photographs, and flyers.

Series 3: Bookpeople 40th Anniversary, 2014. This series contains materials commemorating the history of Bookpeople. This includes a video of the 40th Anniversary party and of Ivar Nelson recounting the history of the store. It also contains two compact disks with photographs and oral histories.

Acquisition Information

The Bookpeople of Moscow Records was donated by Ivar Nelson between 1981 and 2014 (MS 1981-18, MS 1981-32, MS 1984-25, and MS 2014-02) and Robert Greene in 2012 (MS 2012-02).

Processing Note

This collection was processed by Jason Hogstad and Steven Bingo in 2015.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid prepared by Jason Hogstad and Steven Bingo.
2015

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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