Word on The Street Books

Word on the Street Books: Creating Livermore’s living Room

When Word on the Street Books opened its doors in downtown Livermore, the goal was to create more than another place to buy books. The vision was to create a space where people could gather, connect, and feel at home.

“We want to be an open and … [welcoming space] where everyone … can stop by with their friends, to get to know [each other] in Livermore,” the owner Linda Maggi says.

That idea is reflected throughout the bookstore. In addition to shelves filled with books, Word on the Street Books has created a comfortable gathering space with places to sit and relax. Linda describes it as a “Living Room” — a place where people can spend time together rather than simply come in, make a purchase, and leave.

Part of that vision is creating opportunities for the community to come together. The bookstore hopes to host events, talks, and speakers and provide a space where people can gather around their shared love of books and ideas.

The bookstore's community roots extend beyond its downtown location, too. The owners began with a book truck, bringing books directly into the community and building relationships along the way. Now, with a permanent home in Livermore, they are continuing that work in a new way.

There is something especially meaningful about a bookstore becoming a gathering place. Books have always given people opportunities to see themselves, discover new perspectives, and find connections with other people. Word on the Street Books is building on that tradition by making room for those connections to happen in person, too.

That may sound simple, but it captures what makes an independent bookstore such an important part of a community. Word on the Street Books is making room for readers, neighbors, families, and friends, and we are excited to welcome them to the Livermore Pride Passport.