How Bookstores Are Coping: Resourcefulness, Outreach, Gratitude

Special delivery from Skylark.

"Over the last couple of weeks our business model has changed out of all recognition," Skylark Bookshop, Columbia, Mo., posted on Facebook Wednesday. "Our shop used to be full of browsers, who loved to chat about books. Now, our doors are closed and we’re not even allowed to do curbside pick-up (but you can still grab a coffee at the coffee shop next door… go figure.) ANYWAY, we booksellers are resourceful types when we have to be, and so in addition to nearly giving our mailman Lowell a hernia every day, we also climb into our cars at the end of our shifts and deliver books ourselves! Sometimes with a dog to help with directions."

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Print and Page Booksellers, Crestline, Calif., "is supplying, shipping and delivering used books to children in the mountain communities--and they're doing it for free," the Mountain News reported. Co-owners Devina Horvath and Eric Vincent, who relocated from Corona, had a soft opening for their new and used bookstore on February 29, less than three weeks before Governor Newsom's "shelter-in-place" declaration. Although COVID-19 has put a damper on their daily operation, Print and Page is continuing its mission of promoting youth literacy.

"We were just dropping books at the door, knocking and kinda like skittering away. We were calling it ding-dong-ditch," said Horvath. "We realized that not everybody has the ability to keep their kids reading and learning. I really don't want anybody to be hindered, especially if they don't have the money to buy a book."

While Print and Page is currently paying shipping charges on all books associated with the program that allows each child one book, Horvath said she wants to increase the limit, but needs donations to do so. "Donations will help us fulfill specific requests. If a kid wants Percy Jackson #4 and we don't happen to have it used, if we get support from the community, then we can send them the book they want," she said. "Reading does more than keep you entertained. It expands vocabulary and promotes critical thinking and comprehension."

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Kira Wizner, owner of Merritt Bookstore in Millbrook, N.Y., devoted the final part of her quarterly "Book Picks" segment this week on WAMC's Round Table program to talking about how her store is coping and to suggest ways listeners can help their independent bookstores.

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Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Tex., which had to cancel its annual Teen Book Con festival this year because of Covid-19, has announced the creation of #TweetBookCon!! "The mission of Teen Book Con is to connect readers with authors. We can't meet in person this year, so we invite you to join us and a BUNCH of the authors from this year's lineup for an event on Twitter! Here's how it works. From 12:00-1:00 PM CDT on Saturday, April 4, tweet your questions for our awesome Teen Book Con authors using the #TweetBookCon hashtag. Enjoy the great conversations! Plus, Houston teens who join us will be entered to win books, galleys, & swag."

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From Mystery Lovers Bookshop, Oakmont, Pa.: "Grateful. This sums up the past few weeks for us. Grateful that we are still able to operate our online store. Grateful for the community support from Oakmont and Verona. Grateful for the support from Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. Grateful for support from all over the country; from those who have been ordering from the store since 1990 and from our new friends who we hope to meet in person in the coming months.

"Let's all remember to be grateful for all of the wonderful people in our lives, far & wide. For all of the health care workers, our service women and men, our police women & men, all of the people who are delivering our food and working at the essential stores with doors open. Thank you, we are grateful!"

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