HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-18 Bell's Books
CELEBRATING BELL’S BOOKS 90TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, in 1934, Herbert Bell, an enthusiastic 24-year-old bibliophile, drove north from Pasadena in a
station wagon full of books to establish The College Bookshop (later Bell’s Books) in Palo Alto; and
WHEREAS, within a year, he became the owner, and for the next fifty years, through the Great Depression,
World War II Troop book drives, Stanford text sales, Vietnam war protests, new best sellers, old standards,
technology reference books for a burgeoning Silicon Valley, season after season, he, his wife, and his children
provided thousands of volumes, new and used, to customers throughout the greater Bay Area and beyond; and
WHEREAS, after his death, his wife Valeria Bell carried on another thirty years, helping hundreds of book
lovers annually to build their own private collections. She especially enjoyed working with professors from her
alma mater, Stanford University. Their daughter Faith Bell worked at her side for many years; and
WHEREAS, for nine decades Bell’s has supported local schools, libraries, arts, homeless outreach, historical
associations, environmental causes, peace movements, music, and literacy projects; and
WHEREAS, four feisty generations of the family and their spouses have worked in the shop, reflecting a
kaleidoscope of interests, and staff members become family, each staying for many years: Staff Tarna Rosendahl,
Kris Falk, Kevin Shlosberg, David Coon, and Faith’s husband Christopher Storer, are each deeply knowledgeable
in their own fields, and indispensable; and
WHEREAS, today, Faith Bell carries it on, and has been able to continue to build a remarkable offering of
three hundred fifty thousand hand-picked volumes. Collections range from thirteenth century manuscripts on
vellum, twentieth century books signed by Nicola Tesla, John Steinbeck, C.S. Lewis, and T.S. Eliot, to modern
Caldecott and Newberry award winning children’s books. Bell’s Books is frequented by visiting and local
scholars, students, world renowned authors and musicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, and generations of readers;
and
WHEREAS, today, with gratitude to all its supporters, Bell’s Books celebrates ninety years in the heart of
Palo Alto.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Ed Lauing, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, do hereby commend and honor Bell’s
Books for its nine decades of dedicated service and invaluable contribution to the cultural and intellectual life of
our community, where it has enriched minds, inspired curiosity, and stood as a cherished cornerstone for
generations.
Presented: October 18, 2025
______________________________
Ed Lauing
Mayor
Proclamation