Finding Aid to A Different Light Bookstore in West Hollywood Records, 1998-1999
Coll2013.016
Finding aid prepared by Jeff Snapp
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California, 90007
(213) 741-0094
askone@ONEarchives.org
(c) 2013
Title: A Different Light Bookstore in West Hollywood records
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2013.016
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 linear foot.
1 archive carton.
Date (inclusive): 1998-1999
Abstract: Sales and store inventory records of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender literature as well as bestseller information
from A Different Light Bookstore in West Hollywood. Includes documentation of publishers, wholesalers and distributors as
well as retail competitors from 1998-1999.
creator:
Different Light Bookstores.
Biographical/Historical note
A Different Light Bookstore was an independent gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender bookstore retailer with locations in
West Hollywood, New York City, and San Francisco. The store opened in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles in 1979, then moved
to its West Hollywood location in 1990. The New York store opened in 1983 and the San Francisco store in 1985. The New York
store closed in 2001, the West Hollywood store in 2009, and the San Francisco Castro store in 2011.
Arrangement
A descriptive index to the collection was created by the donor and was used as a template for the arrangement. A copy of the
index is in Folder 2.
Scope and Contents note
Sales data and inventories of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) literature as well as bestseller information
from A Different Light Bookstore in West Hollywood. Includes store procedure records, an employee handbook, and examples of
the bookstore's branding. Also includes documentation of publishers, wholesalers and small press distributors; administrative
records covering store branding and store policies and procedures; and a contact list of other stores and publishers interested
in forming a GLBT roundtable in 1999.
Acquisition
An anonymous donor gifted the records in July 2011 in honor of former general manager Richard Labonte.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Jeff Snapp, 2013.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #, or item name] A Different Light Bookstore in West Hollywood Records, Coll2013.016, ONE National Gay & Lesbian
Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bookstores
Gay authors--United States--20th century
Gays in literature
Lesbian authors--United States--20th century
A Different Light Bookstore records
1998-1999
Box 1, Folder 1
A Different Light calendar
May 1986
Box 1, Folder 2
Collection description index
2011
Box 1, Folder 4
Store website bestsellers
1998
Scope and Contents note
List of the top 100 bestsellers at locations in New York and San Francisco in 1998.
Box 1, Folder 5
Restock reports
1998-1999
Box 1, Folder 8
The Publishing Triangle bestselling novels
circa 1999
Scope and Contents note
Includes the 100 best Lesbian and Gay novels list.
Box 1, Folder 10
Bookmarks and letterhead
circa 1999
Box 1, Folder 11
West Hollywood calendar year bestseller list
September 30, 1998
Box 1, Folder 12
Gay/Lesbian Roundtable organization respondee list
1999
Box 1, Folder 13
Category inventory lists
circa 1998
Box 1, Folder 15
Purchase orders (distributor and publisher)
1999
Box 1, Folder 16
Order confirmations (wholesalers)
circa 1998
Box 1, Folder 17
Publisher store inventory lists
1998-1999
Box 1, Folder 19
Naiad store inventory and purchase order
1999
