Charis Books and More and Charis Circle records, 1974-2024 and undated

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Restrictions:
Acccess restricted. Materials relating to the sale of Charis Corporation are restricted until 2035. Contact the Director of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture for more...
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Summary

Creator:
Charis Books and More (1974-)
Charis Circle (Nonprofit organization) (1996-)
Abstract:
Charis Books and More, founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, is the oldest feminist bookstore in the Southeast. Charis Circle is a non-profit organization founded in July 1996 that furthers the mission of the bookstore by offering free educational and cultural events and programs to the community. This collection documents the daily operations of Charis Books and More and Charis Circle, and the interrelated nature of these two organizations, through the administrative files, financial records, advertising material, photographs, and oral histories. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Extent:
40 Linear Feet (62 boxes and 3 oversize folders.)
0.49 Gigabytes
Language:
Material in English.
Research Center:
Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture
Collection ID:
RL.00214

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the day-to-day operations of Charis Books and More and Charis Circle and shows the interrelated nature of these two organizations.

Materials include correspondence; administrative files, including board minutes and store log books; financial records; printed material, such as zines, newsletters, and clippings; advertising and promotional material, including oversize posters; framed and mounted photo prints; oral histories; a plaque, banner, and flag; and t-shirts and tote bags.

There is also material prepared for a 2005 event held in the Rubenstein Library's Rare Book Room.

Biographical / historical:

Charis Books and More, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is the oldest feminist bookstore in the Southeastern US. The store was founded by Linda Bryant and Barbara Borgman in 1974 on Moreland Avenue in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood. Maya Smith joined as partner in 1977, and the store eventually formed an advisory board for making collective decisions. The store moved to Euclid Avenue in 1994, where it remained until 2019, when it partnered with Agnes Scott College and moved to South Candler Street in Decatur.

The store is owned by Sara Luce Look, who has worked at Charis since 1994, and Angela Gabriel, who joined as co-owner in 2005. Errol Anderson serves as Executive Director and Dartricia Rollins is the Assistant Director.

Charis Circle is a non-profit organization founded in July 1996 that furthers the mission of the bookstore by offering free educational and cultural events and programs to the community, such as Sister Girls, Gaia Girls, and Girls Speak Out.

Acquisition information:
The Charis Books and More and Charis Circle records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2005 and as gifts between 2006-2024.
Processing information:

Processed by Megan E. Lewis, November 2010.

Encoded by Meghan Lyon and Megan E. Lewis, November 2010

Updated by Megan E. Lewis, May 2016; Meghan Lyon, October 2022; and Craig Breaden, February 2026.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2005-0036, 2006-0032, 2006-0070, 2007-0212, 2008-0169, 2010-0006, 2015-0131, 2018-0007, 2020-0005, 2022-0117, and 2024-0162

Arrangement:

The Charis Books and More and Charis Circle records are arranged into ten series: Administrative, Financial, Store Operations, Publicity, Events and Programming, Realia and Oversize, Photographs, Oral Histories, Accession 2015-0131, and Accessions from 2018, 2020, and 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Acccess restricted. Materials relating to the sale of Charis Corporation are restricted until 2035. Contact the Director of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture for more information.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are original audiovisual items that need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are digitized audiovisual materials that require special equipment. Contact Research Services with questions.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Charis Books and More and Charis Circle records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1mw3z