The Artsy Bookworm

The Artsy History

When a FOR RENT sign showed up in front of 1319 30th Street in Rock Island in late December 2020, our owner, Tamara Felden, did not hesitate. She called the property owner to arrange a viewing of the space, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Having thought for some time about ways in which she could make more of a contribution to the Rock Island community, this was the moment when a bookstore -this bookstore- became reality. She knew it would be a place where community members would find things not readily available elsewhere: a curated selection of books to help us think through the salient issues of our time; art by the many excellent local artists whose works we have enjoyed over the years but who have so few opportunities to display them now; high-quality gifts, particularly for children; and yarn for those for whom many a day is not complete without a craft project in their hands. Since she is also an avid jewelry designer, those displays were added at a later time.

Social justice takes many forms. So does business. Felden saw an opportunity to combine both. Offering books that help bring all kinds of people together, being able to provide a job or two, contributing to the economic base of our community – all this is meant to work toward greater equity for all. So is the chance to offer merchandise sourced from Black and women-owned businesses, from makers that are environmentally responsible and offer organic, cruelty-free and fair-trade merchandise, and to create a safe space.

Very different from other bookstores in our area, The Artsy Bookworm offers curated sections on Black and Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, Neurodiverse, and Women’s and Gender Studies literature, history and culture. Add to that our Zines section and a selection of books with practical advice on how to become more environmentally friendly, and you know that we are different and why we attract a wide audience. The signs at each entry that say “Hate Has No Home Here” tell the rest of our story.

We unabashedly aim to do good, and we’re looking to you to help us in that. As we launch events and fundraisers, seek connections with groups in our community, and learn everything that should govern our work, we ask you to give us your feedback, your suggestions, your community connections, and your support. Nobody succeeds alone and we count on you!

The Artsy Mission

• To offer a safe space that is welcoming to everyone and where all interact with kindness and good will toward each other
• To carry merchandise that reflects our customers’ desire to make positive contributions to our community, our environment, and our local economy
• To carry books that offer windows into the lives, experience, cultures and histories of different people,
• To be a place where our customers find themselves reflected in the things we sell or perhaps discover something new that broadens their perspective of others
• To provide space for local artists and authors to show and sell their work
• To source our merchandise from environmentally friendly, organic, cruelty-free and fair-trade producers, from Black and women-owned businesses, and from unique makers around the world.
• To be helpful.
  • Social justice takes many forms.
  • So does business.
  • Let’s work together to make things better!