Booksellers on Becoming Inclusive Places for Dialogue and Discovery Through Outreach

Following a series of bookseller discussions at the American Booksellers Association’s 10 Spring Forums and at Winter Institute 12, ABA has compiled a comprehensive list of bookseller suggestions aimed at helping stores develop strategies for strengthening the unique role they play in their communities.

The document, “Bookstores — An Inclusive Place for Dialogue and Discovery,” is available in the Education Curriculum on BookWeb (a username and password are required; booksellers needing login information can e-mail [email protected]).

The numerous suggestions shared by booksellers from a broad range of member stores are organized under six keywords: activism, community, diversity, empathy, outreach, and sanctuary. In the fifth of a series of articles highlighting each keyword, here are the many suggestions provided for the category of outreach.

The suggestions below may not work for every store; booksellers are encouraged to consider their store culture, community, and business goals when beginning any new initiative. Booksellers who have implemented any of these suggestions in their stores are encouraged to let ABA know.

OUTREACH

• Search for titles beyond what publisher reps pitch.
• Work with high school groups.
• Send diverse staff members to school book fairs to represent the bookstore and the bookselling community.
• Offer book discussion groups to readers outside your immediate customer base.
• Get out of your store and more involved in your community.
• Offer pop-up stores throughout the community. Focus on underserved areas.
• Work with your state and/or local poet laureates to create inspiring programming.
• Work with your community nonprofits: SPCA, City Year, library, domestic and homeless shelters, etc.
• Run book drives, charity drives, and/or food drives during in-store events.