Who We Are
“We don’t have the luxury of just being booksellers”
Founded in 2019 by art curator and book lover, DL Moore, Semicolon Bookstore was created as a safe space for readers who enjoy stories by and about minority authors.
During the pandemic, Semicolon became MUCH more active in community work when we started our #ClearTheShelves program-a quarterly book giveaway that allows CPS students to grab the books that they want in the store, free of charge!
Since then, we have shown up as literacy advocates for the communities in the city who do not have financial access to books.
We are booksellers dedicated to bridging the literacy gap among minoritized communities by providing access TO and building interest IN books.
Since 2020, we have
•Provided more than 13, 000 students with new books, free of charge
•Donated books and funds directly to 27 Chicagoland organizations
•Curated and provided books for 52 school and organization libraries
Semicolon Books is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that would love to have your support as we continue our journey of increasing literacy rates among minority communities in Chicago!