We continue our discussion of bookstore retail politics (Shelf Awareness, July 18, 2008) by sharing some insightful responses to the first question: What role do your political views play in ordering and merchandising decisions?
Jennifer Moe, general book buyer for Wheaton College Bookstore, Wheaton, Ill., is "faced with those kinds of decisions all the time. For us, the answer lies somewhere in between Diane's and Casey's responses. For a buyer, personal bias really has to take a back seat to what it seems the community wants. I can't tell you how many books I've ordered that I think are ridiculous but that I know people in our community will be interested in. There are other times when I will read about a book, think it sounds amazing, order it for our store and nobody buys it but me."
"It's a simple business decision for me," wrote Sarah Pishko, owner of Prince Books, Norfolk, Va. "I want to sell books to all of my customers, no matter what their politics are. I want people who are both conservative and liberal to feel equally welcome in my bookstore--and equally willing to spend money! I've stocked and sold some humor books like Bad President, etc., but there are plenty of other trivial/humorous titles that I choose not to carry because they are so in-your-face anti-Bush. I simply don't want to offend Republican browsers. I would not stock the Obama countdown clock. I'll stock serious and legitimate anti-Bush books, and I'm careful to stock some titles by such publishers as Regnery. I don't even put political bumper stickers on my car, but I think most people assume that I'm a Democrat, which I am."
Kelley Drahushuk, co-owner of Spotty Dog Books & Ale, Hudson, N.Y., described the bookstore's staff as "liberal-leaning. However, we have let our customers determine the liberal-leanings of our shelves with their pocketbooks. When we first opened, we were determined to evenly represent both sides of the political spectrum. However, when all the Ann Coulter languishes on the shelf and the Al Franken keeps on turning . . . well, who wants to waste shelf space? Have we had customers come in and accuse us of being a 'liberal bookstore?' Yes. We simply explain to them that we stock what sells and would be absolutely thrilled to special order whatever they want. And if they become a regular and we know we can count on them to buy certain authors of the right? We would be thrilled to stock their titles as soon as they come out--we are, after all, in business to sell books and selling books of all kinds is what allows us to remain in business."
Next week, answers to question #2: Is a community bookstore a neutral corner or an advocacy center. Can there be a, well, "third place" between the two when it comes to politics? Here's what our catalysts for this series had to say:
Diane Van Tassell, Bay Books: "A community bookstore should be a place where people buy books that appeal to them. It should not be a political place where one candidate or philosophy should be rammed down the throats of the patrons. People come into bookstores because they love books or they just want to while away a few hours enjoying themselves. A bookstore should be a sanctuary where people can be themselves and talk to staff and other patrons about books. If customers bring up the subject of politics, I let them talk but don't add my own feelings to the mix. Bookstore staffs are often like bartenders--they need to be good listeners because sometimes people need to talk and have someone listen to them without comment. That is what brings customers back--because they feel appreciated. Let's face it, everyone loves to hear themselves talk and so often no one wants to listen. So isn't that the purpose of our bookstores, to give people an enjoyable experience?"
Casey Coonerty Protti, Bookshop Santa Cruz: "I think a community bookstore is a place where ideas should be debated and shared. At times, Bookshop Santa Cruz has taken positions and other times, we only serve to inform both sides. Sometimes we advocate for titles and sometimes we highlight why we disagree with a particular book's agenda. For instance, in the case of the book The Bell Curve, we carried and sold that bestseller but we also included books in our display that argued the racial and cultural bias of standardized tests. We sought to enhance the debate, not just sell the book. However, most of the time, we just offer books for people's own choice. We also train all of our employees to never pass judgment on someone's reading choices as we are excited when people are reading, period."
Now it's your turn and, as always, you know who you are.--Robert Gray (column archives available at Fresh Eyes Now)