About Us

Rainbow is Madison’s only cooperatively owned and collectively managed bookstore. Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1989, we are a community resource center for book lovers, activists, scholars, and engaged citizens alike. The cooperative is now owned by more than 400 consumer members, and staffed by 30 volunteers and four paid staff. Everybody is welcome to shop at Rainbow, however members receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative offers more than books. In addition to a wide variety of magazines, zines, underground publications and craft items, we also serve as a meeting place and informational resource for Madison’s progressive community. Each year we bring radical authors and speakers to town for public events, conferences and cultural events. We strive to support small presses and alternative publishers, especially worker-owned businesses. We also supply local universities with progressive textbooks. Within the increasingly narrow context of the corporate bookselling industry, from the mega-chains to amazon.com, Rainbow offers a politically conscious alternative. Please come visit our store and see the difference a co-op makes.

To see a list of our sections, please browse the bookstore links on the left side of the page, and to see a list of the items we sell in the store such as stickers, tshirts and such, click here.

Click here to find us.

Click here to contact us.

Click here to become a member or volunteer.