Pioneer Bookshop to Continue Support of Local School District Libraries this December

For the eleventh year since the event’s conception, Grinnell College’s Pioneer Bookshop will donate 10% of their December sales to support middle and high-school libraries in the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District.  

The yearly donation allows the libraries to supply books and host events that would not be possible with their existing budget. Grinnell-Newburg middle and high school librarian, Chelsey Kolpin, looks forward to using the funds to purchase student requests and host authors.  

“A tremendous amount of books are able to be added because of these dollars, and the kids and I both really appreciate that,” Kolpin said.  

For community members hoping to contribute to this effort, the Pioneer Bookshop offers a unique selection of gifts to meet holiday shopping needs. If a book isn’t offered in-store, the bookshop also special-orders books for arrival within days.  

“We have a lot of what I would call intelligent gifts, or gifts that make you think. We like to gear our choices to educational toys, puzzles, and games,” said Cassie Wherry, Pioneer Bookshop manager. “And of course, there's always a book for everyone.” 

The annual donation is just one way that the Grinnell community supports local students. Through the Grinnell Education Partnership, Grinnell College and local businesses facilitate events and programs to strengthen the area’s educational offerings all throughout the year.   

“It really pleases us to have this connection to the community, to encourage shopping at the bookshop and to encourage young readers, because young readers make lifetime readers,” Wherry said.  

The Pioneer Bookshop is open 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays.