Western Mass Bookstore Crawl

Hop on a van with Freel Library staff and explore a variety of independent bookstores in the Pioneer Valley (about an hour east of MCLA). Leave campus at 10 a.m.; return by 5 p.m. Every student who comes on the trip can pick out one book for the library to purchase (up to $50) and be the first person to borrow it! Box lunches provided (sign up on registration form), or grab lunch on your own in Greenfield. 

Draft itinerary (map) (all times subject to change): 

1. 10:15 a.m.: Leave MCLA library parking lot 

2. Raven Used Books, 11-11:45 (Shelburne Falls; recently moved from Harvard Square) Specializes in carefully selected scholarly and literary books. Especially strong categories include philosophy, social theory, art and architecture, music, history, classical studies, science, religion, literature and more. 

3. Downtown Greenfield, noon-1:30 

• Imaginary Bookshop: Genre-specific bookshop that focuses on small presses and books written by women and other marginalized groups; also sells gifts and curiosities. 

• Federal Street Books: Wide selection of used and new books 

• Also in downtown Greenfield: other shops (including a Salvation Army, consignment shops, record store, game store), restaurants, cafes, an Eastern European grocery store, and a food co-op. 

4. Unnameable Books (Turners Falls), 1:45-2:45: New and used books in all major genres. Strong poetry, philosophy and fiction sections. In a small downtown with other shops and a nice walking/bike path along the CT River & canal. 

5. Montague Bookmill (Montague), 3-3:45 “Books you don’t need in a place you can’t find.” Beautiful old mill on a river filled with used books. Lots of academic as well as popular titles. In a small complex with a cafe and record/CD store. 

6. Return to MCLA by 5 p.m.