Congratulations to Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week, noting: "In a time when things have been extremely challenging for any business, the books industry has seen positive spin-offs. The demand for books has increased and there has been a growth in bookshops around the country, with new stores in Wellington, Timaru and Wanaka."
CEO Dan Slevin commented: "We are thrilled to be celebrating our centenary and are so very proud of all our members and our achievements. The centenary has been a time for reflecting on the past as well as looking to the future. Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand is focused on the changing world of books and is committed to the continued success of bookselling in New Zealand."
Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand said the association is "committed to a vision for the next 100 years and are committed to supporting members and growing book sales across all channels. We want everyone to sell more books and we advocate for members in every way possible. We have been enhancing collaboration throughout the sector, including working closely with the other international bookseller associations. So there has been lots of advice and help between us all."
The organization also noted that the centenary "marks an important milestone for us in the industry. We are so very proud to look back on our accomplishments and the people we have helped over the years. We are proud to be part of the books industry and would like to thank everyone who has supported us in reaching 100 years of success."
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Firefly & Fox Books recently hosted a grand opening celebration at 13 Norfolk St. N., Simcoe, Ont., Canada. A general-interest bookstore that specializes in children's and Canadian literature as well as local authors, Firefly & Fox also offers online shopping and orders can be placed by phone. Curbside pickup and delivery in Norfolk are available, too, as is Canada-wide shipping.
Owner Catherine Wiebe told the Sentinel-Review that the idea for the shop's name came to her when she was with her family: "It was about a year ago and we had heard the Coles was closing. We wanted to open a bookstore of our own and we were sitting in the backyard trying to come up with a name. So, we're sitting there watching the fireflies. It was gorgeous night and it just sort of came to me--Firefly and Fox. Fireflies are points of light in the dark and that's what books can be--points of light in a world that is sometimes dark and that's what we want to do with our store."
She added: "Every community needs a bookstore. We're the only new bookstore in Haldimand-Norfolk and, before we opened, residents would have to head out of town to Paris or Brantford. They don't have to do that anymore. They can visit us instead.... We want to make this a place where people can visit and make connections to other worlds through books."
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In India, Saji Cherian, minister for Cultural Affairs in Kerala, has inaugurated the "Vattiyurkavil Vijnjana Yathra" program, organized by the Vattiyurkavu Youth Brigade as part of the Reading Week celebrations and to provide aid to students who cannot access online classes," the Hindu reported.
The VYB, led by V.K. Prasanth, will "take the traveling book store to all the wards in the constituency. The book store is being run in association with the State Institute of Languages, State Institute of Children's Literature, D.C. Books, Mathrubhumi Books and Chintha Publishers," the Hindu wrote. Proceeds from selling the books will be used to buy mobile phones and tablets for students struggling to access online classes.
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British masking update: "We will be sticking to our drill in the bookshop from the 19th of July, despite what Boris says. We all feel safer this way staff and customers," Little Toller Books, Beaminster, tweeted, as well as sharing a photo of the store's chalkboard, which offers further ("You know the drill!") clarification. --Robert Gray