The Liberal Bookshop

Did you know that our church used to have a bookstore? The Liberal Bookshop began in 1957 when several members wanted to have reading material that was not readily available in town – even at the campus bookstore. Most of the volumes were on topics such as existentialism, civil liberties, religious philosophy, the Vietnam War, and social issues. Some children’s books were stocked, as well as items from the Beacon Press and specially ordered books for discussion groups. Church members donated used books and all of the proceeds were given to the general operating budget of the church.

Around 1988, the bulk of the used books on hand was transferred to the Channing-Murray Foundation. The Bookshop’s lending library was dispersed, with some of the books added to the Victor Hoersch Library (which is still in our basement library). 

In the 1990 Annual Report to the Congregation, Todd Kinney, who took over management of the Bookshop from Tim Kearley, reported that the Bookshop had accumulated enough cash to pay for a large order of new books and pay the balance of a previous loan. The largest source of income was from the books purchased by the Feminist Study Group. He thanked Mele Howard and Judy Swann for their help. In the next couple of years, the Bookshop, under the guidance of Judy Swann, added greeting cards and calendars and a selection of new books from Beacon. In 1993, the Liberal Bookshop closed. 

These people managed or otherwise supported the Bookshop: Leo Koch, George Amsbary, Bob Krieger, Dick Walker, Mary Lathrope, Maggie Glissendorf, Bill Huff, Gail Hueting, Tim Kearley, Todd Kinney, Mary Huff, Susie Kaler, Julia Quick, Julie Stevenson, Judy Swann, Bod Konzo, Mele Howland, and Helen Cahn.