This collection contains the records of the Spoon River Cooperative Association relating to the business’s operations and community engagement. It is divided into four series: Administrative Records, Financial Records, Merchandise, and Community and Cooperative Organizations.

Series I: Administrative Records, 1972-1979, contains material related to the administration of the Spoon River Co-op, its legal standing, and the day-to-day operations of the bookstore. Materials include incorporation documents, leases, insurance plans, board meeting minutes, correspondence, newsletters, and guidelines for publicity, ordering, and store operations. Arranged alphabetically.

Series II: Financial Records, 1966-1979, contains the financial records of the co-op. Materials include bank statements, daily sales logs, ledgers, payroll and tax records, and guides on accounting and daily operations. Arranged alphabetically.

Series III: Merchandise, 1972-1978, documents the books, records, and periodicals sold by the co-op, with formats including order forms, consignment agreements, and lists of publishers and periodicals. Arranged alphabetically.

Series IV: Community and Cooperative Organizations, 1971-1979 relates to the co-op’s community engagement, activism, and relationships with other cooperative organizations. Materials include correspondence, flyers, newsletters, and a cookbook and calendar produced by the co-op. Arranged alphabetically.