Ariel Books first opened in 1974 as a private business focusing on books about women's spirituality, but switched to collective ownership and a more general feminist bookstore format circa 1975. In 1981, when the collective decided to sell the business, Margo Dunn and Janice Pentland-Smith purchased the store that was then located at 2766 West 4th Avenue in Vancouver. In 1983, Margo Dunn acquired her partner's shares and became the sole proprietor of Ariel Books. In 1991, Ariel Books moved to a larger space at 1988 West 4th Avenue, where it remained until it closed in 1994.

Ariel Books was one of two feminist bookstores operating in Vancouver during this period; the other was the Women's Bookstore (in operation from 1973 to 1996). Indeed, Vancouver was the only city in North America that supported two feminist bookstores simultaneously for such a long period of time. Ariel Books specialized in books for women in such areas as feminist theory, politics, lesbian issues, violence against women, assertiveness, psychology, parenting, birth and midwifery, fiction and the like. Ariel Books also hosted readings by popular feminist writers, and acted as an essential resource for Vancouver women.

Series consists of records that document the operation of Ariel Books from the period when Margo Dunn was owner of the store, although some records date to when the collective ran the store. Records reflect the purchase and organization of the business, daily logbooks, correspondence, events and general operational files. Includes sales contracts, financial records, correspondence, certificate of incorporation, inventories, catalogues, event flyers, promotional material and 2 fabric banners.