The renaissance of vinyl sales in general and as a profitable sideline alternative for independent booksellers has prompted Carl Lennertz to launch the Turntable Project, a new program through which "booksellers can stock their stores with new vinyl and turntables and will also have the opportunity to nominate a school in need to receive a record player of its own," Bookselling This Week reported.
Deer Park, the sole distributor of Crosley products in the U.S., will serve as the source for record players for booksellers participating in the Turntable Project, while vinyl orders will be placed through a dedicated account manager at Alliance Entertainment. Free freight is available to booksellers on their first order with Alliance when they mention the Turntable Project, but BTW cautioned that "it's important to note that all vinyl is nonreturnable." Bookstores participating in the Turntable Project at any volume will be able to nominate a local underserved school to receive a turntable, with Deer Park donating Crosley record players to selected schools.
"These two companies are both really eager to work with independent bookstores. They love the Turntable Project and they love the charity aspect," said Lennertz, who is collaborating on the initiative with Ron Rice, editor My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read and Shop; and Laura Peraza, who was the webmaster for World Book Night U.S. Questions regarding the project can be addressed to Lennertz.
