Librería Martinez de Chapman University is a partner under the umbrella of the Paulo Freire Democratic Project. Since its inception as a Chapman entity, the principle of the bookstore has been to create a community space where education happens in conjunction with the community and not on it. In Education as a Practice of Freedom, Paulo Freire said, "To be is to engage in relationship with others and with the world". In this Freirian sense, the experiences of the people who come to the bookstore are not only recognized and valued, but they become a part of the educational process for everyone. The liberatory effects of promoting literacy and being in relationship with others in the world directs the manner in
which the bookstore is run.
Librería Martinez de Chapman University is a non-profit organization whose sales, grants and donations go to support and sustain its community education programs. The artists, authors, teachers and participants who share their talents and creativity are all intricate contributors to the development of our human potential and to help us envision and create a more equitable and human world.