Collection documents the day-to-day operation, programs, and mission of Charis Books and More and Charis Circle, and the interrelated nature of these two organizations. The financial records include those for Charis Books and More (1983-2001) and Charis Circle (1996-2003). The ephemera (1976-2004) include bookstore flyers and announcements, t-shirts, banners, framed posters, and book bags. There are also board minutes (1983-1988 and 1997-1998); log books (1984-2001); instructions and reports for the bookstore; records for community programs (Sister Girls and Gaia Girls, 1999-2000); poetry workshop materials for "Leaving Home, Becoming Home" ; 2,500 photographs and a DVD. There are also materials prepared for and at an event held at the Rare Book Room, 2005 Apr. 12: 10 file folders, approximately 12 items, including introductory materials and materials prepared by participants at the event. There are also administrative files and financial records, 1996-2005; clippings, 2004-2006; promotional material, 2004-2006; store log notebooks, 2003-2005; approximately 30 mounted photographs; correspondence, 2005-2006; zines; t-shirts. Also includes oversized material consisting of 17 posters; 1 collage mounted on wooden board; 3 posters with 30 mounted photographs; 10 laminated signs; 1 painted wooden sign. There are also administrative and programming materials for both Charis Books and More and the Charis Circle organization, many of which were created by Linda Bryant, a founding owner. Also includes newsletters, newspaper clippings, some posters, and a fabric banner. There are also two oversized foam-core posters from the Girls Speak Out/SisterGirls group based at Charis Books and More. There are also program fliers and planning materials for Charis Books and More as well as Charis Circle; also contains information about the Charis Board and its members, store log books and correspondence, some ephemera from the store's programming, news coverage, and fliers from other community events. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Charis Books and More, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is the oldest feminist bookstore in the Southeastern United States. 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. In 1994 the store moved to Euclid Ave., where it remained until 2019, when it partnered with Agnes Scott College and moved to South Candler St. in Decatur, Georgia. 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.
