Finding Common Ground: The Foundation of Community

The concept of community is at the heart of discussions about democracy and political efficacy. The question for this research project is how civil society organizations go about developing a sense of community among their members. This paper takes a qualitative case study approach to analyzing a community organization in an urban setting. Books and Company is a small bookstore in Hamden, Connecticut, that places community building at the heart of its mission. By interviewing the owner and frequenters of the store, we address the techniques this organization has used to build and strengthen community and to empower those who frequent it. In the face of increasing conflict at the local, national, and international levels, understanding how communities come together has the potential to establish a foundation to bridge divides.