Keep buying books.
Businesses everywhere are suffering in this time of coronavirus, and this is especially true for independent bookstores. Nationwide, they have been forced to shutter to the public, and even if they’re still open online, times are tough. And this is true for both smaller stores and more widely-known ones–for example, Strand in New York laid off most of its staff, as did Powell’s Books in Portland (though they have since rehired 100 employees to help with online orders). Many bookstores are paying their staff as long as they can. Perseverance is possible, and there’s a chance they’ll stay afloat through all of this–but not without our help. You need your books and they need your business. It goes without saying that Amazon will be around long after lockdown has ended–let’s make sure these local stores stay open in the meantime. They are important to local economies and they’re important to the literary world.
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Keep Buying Books (But Not From Amazon, Please!)
Although book shops have closed their doors to the public, many are still fulfilling online orders. Keep in mind that it might take a few days more for shipping than usual, but don’t let this sway you towards ordering from Amazon–you’d probably be waiting just as long for your book order from them, as they’re prioritizing orders containing essential items (so, not books). Bookshop is the independent bookstore alternative to Amazon, which shares its proceeds with small, independent bookstores–you can buy directly from their website, or use their search feature to enter your zip code and it will match you with local bookstores near you (so that you can order directly from that website).
Seriously…You’ve Got Options Other Than Amazon
BookstoreLink links you directly to your local bookshops–you can search the title and the store on their homepage. And from the same people who brought you BookstoreLink, there’s Libro.fm for all of your audiobook needs. They offer a la carte listening options–if there’s just ONE book you need to listen to–as well as a monthly membership for $14.99 a month (only four cents more than an Amazon Audible subscription, which is $14.95 a month) and your first audiobook is free. Also, if you switch from another audiobook provider, you can sign up with a special code and get three audiobooks for the price of one, as a little thank you for switching over to Libro.fm and supporting your local bookstores.
There Are More Things to Buy Than Books
We’re all inside and looking for things to do, and independent bookstores have way more to offer than just books–gifts, puzzles, games, and more are available for purchase at many of their online shops. Many bookstores have clothing items and other “self-care” adjacent items for purchase as well–I’ve been eyeing this cotton waffle-knit robe from The Ripped Bodice (the only exclusively romance bookstore in the U.S., located in L.A.) for several weeks now.
Pay Attention to What Bookstores Are Asking For
Pay attention to what the shops themselves are talking about and asking for–sign up for their newsletters and follow their social media accounts. These are the ways they will be reaching out to the community. And many of them will probably be offering discounts, online classes, and workshops, or doing digital events–all you have to do is keep up with what’s happening when it’s happening–the best way to do that right now is directly from your phone (and inbox).
Spread the Word
Sometimes social pressure is the best influence, so a good way to get people to support indie bookstores is by talking about supporting indie bookstores. If you’ve got book-loving friends or family members perpetually ordering from Amazon during this time, speak up. Mention that there are plenty of other options. Tell them (kindly) about how important these independent shops are to the local economy. You’re not going to convince everyone, but chances are you’ll convince someone–and that’s something.
