Gather Books & Lovely Things | Gather Literary Society
Tell us about your business and why you should receive this award!
Both Gather Bookshop and Gather Literary Society strive to serve the Squamish Community and operate under the founding belief that simplifying access to literary arts strengthens communities by cultivating self-love and acceptance.
· Gather's combined teams of staff and volunteers have dedicated hundreds of hours making books more accessible in the Sea to Sky Corridor
· Also spending time on likeminded community initiatives including:
o Serving on various Board of Directors
o Hosting speaker panels bolstering connection within the arts sector
o Participating in peer and teen business mentoring programs
o School visits
o Partnering and sharing strategic support for community groups and organizations
GATHER BOOKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:
This 5-year-old business has become a community hub and safe space for humans of all ages to be themselves. Gather strives to showcase diverse voices and support local authors and artists – allowing customers to see themselves and their peers represented while experiencing new perspectives.
This year, our business has:
o Offered over 80 free community events
o Run dozens of meaningful collaborations with local businesses and orgs
o Supported 20+ local Author/Artist events
o Pivoted to better serve the community through:
§ Free delivery Fridays
§ Online Book Fair Fundraisers
§ Writing courses for adults
§ Kiddo camps
§ Read & Return extension (500+ gently used books)
o Loved Squamish locals by:
§ Helping orgs earn thousands of dollars via fundraising programs
§ Continuing to hire Sea to Sky humans and encourage their broader community passions
§ Selling the works of 40+ local Authors and 20+ Local Artists
§ Fulfilling over 500 customer special orders
§ Donating hundreds of dollars to schools and organizations
§ Grown their devoted online community to 10k and over 50+ 5-star Google reviews
GATHER LITERARY SOCIETY HIGHLIGHTS:
Small but mighty, this 2-year-old non-profit is largely volunteer driven, with community support and donations going directly toward books, programming, materials, and outreach. Fueled by the belief that “Maybe a Book Will Help,” Gather Literary Society makes literary arts accessible and approachable.
This year, our non-profit has:
o Donated over 350 books locally (and lent out even more)
o Launched a FREE Book Fair Program - making the book fair experience equitable in schools)
o Grown the Inclusive Bookshelf Program – providing free access to robust lending libraries at even more daycares, schools, libraries and community organizations – allowing people to access books where they already spend their time
o Purposefully participated in in community events throughout Squamish
§ Squamish Pride, Brackendale Fall Fair, Squamish Farmers' Market, and Squamish Arts Festival, Squamish Together (and more)
o Brought free books, children's activities, and information to the broader community and integrating literacy into existing public gatherings
o Received community funding from local businesses and Foundations, validating and prioritizing the gap we are filling in our community
We are grateful to be part of a community that values connection and creativity, and we hope to continue building on this work in the years ahead with the help of receiving this award.
