Chapterhouse Books provides books for The Place’s refugee communities

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Chapterhouse Books is a local bookstore that sells new and used books that prioritize a literary representation of all Amarillo communities.

According to Lauren Pronger, Chapterhouse Books founder, the community bookstore sells books to underrepresented populations while providing them with a physical space.

“We just want to make sure that anyone who comes into this store can find something that represents them,” Pronger said. “They can find themselves in the books. We also want to make sure that everyone else can come in and see their neighbor represented.”

Pronger said the bookstore partners with The Place, providing a free bookshelf for the refugee communities. The Place is a multicultural center with a refugee focus and consists of three nonprofits: The Refugee Language Project, Square Mile, and We Find In Love.

“We’re really hoping to keep that partnership alive, keep providing free books for them, and maintaining the bookshelf,” Pronger said. “And also make sure that those kids know that they can come over here after The Place closes at 5 p.m. That we’re going to have after-school activities and stuff for them. And make sure that they feel welcome in Amarillo.”

According to Pronger, Chapterhouse Books is looking to include books in other languages within the Amarillo population including Burmese, Farsi, and Swahili.

“We are trying to work with some publishers to get those books in,” Pronger said. “We are hoping to have not only books in those languages but also events in those languages. And just make sure that no matter who you are in Amarillo, you can come here, find a book, find an event, and something that works for you.”

A list of future events and purchasable books can be found on Chapterhouse Books’ website.

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