Wooden Shoe Books & Records

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The Wooden Shoe is open!

We're still working our way back up to being fully staffed, so we may not be open for all of our aspirational hours: 7 days a week, from noon to 10PM. We usually open early on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you're making a special trip to see us it's always a good idea to call first to make sure we'll be open: 215-413-0999.

COVID Precautions:
We are practicing mutual aid by following these guidelines to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission:

We're asking everyone who enters to wear a mask. We usually have some hand-sewn masks on hand that we can give away for free or for a voluntary donation.

We want the wonderful materials that we carry to be as accessible as possible during the health crisis, so we're encouraging people to call when we're open so our friendly Shoe volunteers can answer questions and help you to put together an order.

We're offering low-cost delivery by mail or bicycle.

We know lots of people are organizing reading groups and book clubs during these times of COVID restrictions and we want to support that, so we're offering a new discount program for the purchase of three or more copies of any book that we can order. Order 3 or more copies and get a 10% discount!

You can call the Shoe or email us directly at readinggroups@woodenshoebooks.com with questions or requests.

In solidarity,
The Wooden Shoe volunteers

We all need anarchist culture during these trying times.
Here are a few online resources for free books, pamphlets, zines, movies and more: https://theanarchistlibrary.org
https://christiebooks.co.uk/anarchist-film-archive/
If you're in Philly, The Free Library has amazing online materials for you to enjoy while all of their physical locations are closed, including (limited) free video streaming via Kanopy

Here's our 2009 revised mission and statement of values.

Sign up to receive email announcements about events and other news at: shoeannounce@lists.riseup.net

We have an Internet-connected computer available for free public use (sorry; no printer) Here's our public-use Policy.

Now and forever at the Wooden Shoe - %10 off! 10% discount on all full-price hardcover books at Wooden Shoe Books

We have a new project!
We want your help in providing free books to kids who have less access. Send us an email if you want to donate, or to join us in this non-profit project: wonderfulthings@woodenshoebooks.com

A picture of the Wooden SHoe storefront

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What Is Anarchism? What Is The Wooden Shoe? To put it simply, anarchism is the the political philosophy that people are better off making decisions for themselves, and communities making decisions for their communities, rather than having any centralized power/governing body do it for them. Furthermore, anarchism is opposed to capitalism and all systems of oppression that attempt to exploit or control.

Founded in 1976, the Wooden Shoe is an all volunteer, collectively-run, anarchist book store. Functioning within a system we oppose, we seek to be an example of one way things can function without anyone commanding or forcing us to think or act a certain way. We have no bosses, managers, or employeesand make all of our decisions through consensus rather than majority rule voting so as to empower those involved. We also identify as an infoshop, meaning that we serve as a space for people to gather, learn, and find out more about like-minded activities happening in their communities.