- Categories:About Bookstores [1]
Indie Bookstores Give Back to Each Other, Their Communities [2]
- By Emily Behnke [3]
Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, independent bookstores around the country have made an effort to help each other in whatever way they can, which has included donating to the #SaveIndieBookstores campaign [4] as well as offering their expertise on a variety of topics during the American Booksellers Association’s COVID Coffee Breaks and Marketing Meetups (recordings of which can be viewed in ABA’s Education Resources [5]).
Stores have also worked to help their communities during this uncertain time. Here are some of the ways independent bookstores have given back to their communities:
- Roxanne Coady of R.J. Julia Booksellers [6] in Madison, Connecticut, is donating 30,000 books to 7,500 K–8 readers in New Haven and Bridgeport, Connecticut [7].
- Big Blue Marble Bookstore [8] in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has dedicated the second floor of its store to mask-making. The masks will be donated to any healthcare providers who ask, and the store is accepting donations to cover the cost of materials [9].
- Doylestown Bookshop [10] in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has donated books [11] to patients in isolation.
- The Village Bookstore [12] in Pleasantville, New York, is collecting notes of appreciation [13], which will be delivered to staff at Phelps Hospital.
- Stillwater Books [14] has partnered with the Pawtucket Public Library in Rhode Island so the community can support both at the same time [15].
- The Bookworm [16] in Omaha, Nebraska, is hosting a quarantine puzzle exchange to benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland [17].
- Charm City Books [18] in Baltimore, Maryland, is creating care packages [19] for local medical staff and their families.
- Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers [20] in Columbus, Ohio, is displaying posters thanking healthcare professionals [21], illustrated by children’s book author Daniel C. Kirk.
- Poor Richard’s Bookshop [22] in Frankfort, Kentucky, has partnered with the Frankfort Independent Schools Foundation to collect monetary donations for a community fundraiser called Book Out [23].
- Southland Books and Cafe [24] in Maryville, Tennessee, has opened a curbside farmer’s market [25].
- Alsace Walentine of Tombolo Books [26] in St. Petersburg, Florida, is making special deliveries to customers on her bicycle every day [27]. Carmichael’s Bookstore [28] in Louisville, Kentucky, is also offering a home delivery service [29].