How to Support Independent Bookstores During COVID-19
As we face this national emergency, it is important to help support small businesses in our own communities. Many independent bookstores nationwide are shutting down to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, but there are still ways to contribute and support these businesses so that we have great community spaces to return to.
Even in these difficult times for small businesses and independent booksellers, I am amazed at the online resources and outpour of generosity within the book community.
Here are three simple ways to help keep independent bookstores afloat during COVID-19:
For all of your spare reading time, please shop on Bookshop.org
Bookshop “is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support independent bookstores and give back to the book community.” They are a great alternative to Amazon with the same discount pricing. They have also recently announced that in a response to COVID-19 they have increased affiliate store commissions from 25% to 30% for the next eight weeks, which all profit will be handed to participating independent bookstores.
Shop on your local independent bookstore’s website
To find your local independent bookstore, search here: BookstoreLink.com
BookstoreLink allows the reader to choose their independent bookstore and connects them to that bookstore’s website to make their purchase. The independent bookstore gets to keep 100% of the sale and the books will be delivered to your doorstep.
Listen to Audio Books through Libro.fm
Libro.fm is an audio book company that supports independent bookstores. During Coronavirus they are offering a two-for-one membership for customers for $14.99 with the promo code “SHOPBOOKSTORESNOW” as well as a one-month gift membership for $15.
For California Booksellers Please Visit CALIBALLIANCE.ORG
CALIBA (California Independent Booksellers Alliance) supports and promotes independent booksellers. For booksellers, you can find an array of resources to help you through these difficult times.
To continue your support, check out BINC Foundation.
BINC Foundation is a charitable organization devoted to supporting the book industry. According to BINC,
“1 in 5 booksellers has experienced a financial emergency in the last two years.”
You can help support by donating, volunteering, or joining “The Bibliophile’s Society” on BINC Foundation’s website.
LASTLY,
If you are looking for book recommendations while you are stuck at home, reach out to your local independent booksellers, check out IndieBound’s Next List or click here for my top picks for this week.
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Keep Calm and Read On.
#ShopBookstoresNow