Notes: Changes at Olsson's; Anti-Anti-Wal-Mart Approach
Robert Starner has joined the corporate staff of Olsson's Books &
Records as event coordinator and will handle the scheduling of in-store
events and stock signings for all Olsson's stores. He has worked at the
Olsson's Lansburgh/Penn Quarter store in Washington, D.C., since last
October, where he handled many author events. Earlier he had worked as
a part-time bookseller at Olsson's during two holiday seasons and for
14 years was a part-time bookseller at Lambda Rising in Dupont Circle
in Washington and was director of online services for Lambda Rising. He
may be reached at rstarner@olssons.com or at 301-562-0972 ext. 50.
For the time being, marketing manager Alicia Greene will continue to schedule Olsson's off-site events. Later this year, Starner will take over those responsibilities.
Also Elizabeth Brinkama, who co-administered events scheduling and handled sidelines ordering, is leaving Olsson's to manage Now and Then, a gift store in Takoma Park, Md. Olsson's praised "her dedication and service to the company these past seven years. Her dynamic energy, welcomed humor and bookstore knowledge will be missed, and we wish her the very best in her new position."
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Slate looks at the effect of BookScan's book sales figures, stating, "BookScan has emerged as a powerful tool for the editors and agents whose employers pay several thousand dollars a year to subscribe. But in the hands of journalists and polemicists, BookScan data has becomes a blunt instrument to humiliate, minimize accomplishments, and express joy at the misfortune of other writers." (Editors' note: Shelf Awareness has yet to quote a BookScan sales figure . . .)
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A group called Citizens for Economic Opportunity is circulating a petition against the interim zoning measure passed by the Ravalli County commissioners against big box stores that was supported by ABA president Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Bookstore, Hamilton, Mont., and many others (Shelf Awareness, April 13).
Dallas Erickson, one of the anti-resolution group members (who said he is interested in family values and the threat to them posed by pornography), told the Missoulian that much of the resolution was an affront to free enterprise. "I agree with some of the parts of the resolution, like the landscaping, but I just can't figure out what the cap means. I mean 60,000 (square feet) is O.K., but 61,000 isn't? That doesn't make any sense."
He added that the group believes businesses like Wal-Mart increase sales at other stores and would help the county retain shoppers who otherwise would travel to Missoula.
Depending on how many signatures the group gets and when, its efforts could temporarily stop the commissioners' measure or put the matter on the ballot in November.
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Effective July 5, Books-A-Million has appointed Douglas Markham chief financial officer, replacing Richard Wallington. Markham was formerly senior v-p and controller at Saks and had worked for the retailer for 10 years. Before that, he worked in finance and accounting for 20 years at other national retailers.
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It seems like an odd thing for a competitor to do.
A 44-year-old student at Daytona Beach Community College who has a Web site, falconbooksdirect.com, where students can buy and sell textbooks, has prodded the school's administration to ask for an audit from Follett, which manages the campus bookstore, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Thomas Rebman has charged that Follett is not living up to its contract--particularly the requirement that Follett buy back textbooks under certain conditions for no less than 50% of the original cost.
Explaining the audit, Michael Elam, v-p for student development at DBCC, told the paper, "We want to send a message we're working together" with Follett. "The bottom line is we want to make sure the contract is being adhered to. We are taking Mr. Rebman seriously."
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John Carlson has been promoted to executive director of operations at Chronicle Books. He has been with the company for 12 years, including four years in the sales division. Most recently, he led the operations group and warehouse.
In addition, Dan Janusz has been promoted to controller at Chronicle. For five years, he has been finance manager.
For the time being, marketing manager Alicia Greene will continue to schedule Olsson's off-site events. Later this year, Starner will take over those responsibilities.
Also Elizabeth Brinkama, who co-administered events scheduling and handled sidelines ordering, is leaving Olsson's to manage Now and Then, a gift store in Takoma Park, Md. Olsson's praised "her dedication and service to the company these past seven years. Her dynamic energy, welcomed humor and bookstore knowledge will be missed, and we wish her the very best in her new position."
---
Slate looks at the effect of BookScan's book sales figures, stating, "BookScan has emerged as a powerful tool for the editors and agents whose employers pay several thousand dollars a year to subscribe. But in the hands of journalists and polemicists, BookScan data has becomes a blunt instrument to humiliate, minimize accomplishments, and express joy at the misfortune of other writers." (Editors' note: Shelf Awareness has yet to quote a BookScan sales figure . . .)
---
A group called Citizens for Economic Opportunity is circulating a petition against the interim zoning measure passed by the Ravalli County commissioners against big box stores that was supported by ABA president Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Bookstore, Hamilton, Mont., and many others (Shelf Awareness, April 13).
Dallas Erickson, one of the anti-resolution group members (who said he is interested in family values and the threat to them posed by pornography), told the Missoulian that much of the resolution was an affront to free enterprise. "I agree with some of the parts of the resolution, like the landscaping, but I just can't figure out what the cap means. I mean 60,000 (square feet) is O.K., but 61,000 isn't? That doesn't make any sense."
He added that the group believes businesses like Wal-Mart increase sales at other stores and would help the county retain shoppers who otherwise would travel to Missoula.
Depending on how many signatures the group gets and when, its efforts could temporarily stop the commissioners' measure or put the matter on the ballot in November.
---
Effective July 5, Books-A-Million has appointed Douglas Markham chief financial officer, replacing Richard Wallington. Markham was formerly senior v-p and controller at Saks and had worked for the retailer for 10 years. Before that, he worked in finance and accounting for 20 years at other national retailers.
---
It seems like an odd thing for a competitor to do.
A 44-year-old student at Daytona Beach Community College who has a Web site, falconbooksdirect.com, where students can buy and sell textbooks, has prodded the school's administration to ask for an audit from Follett, which manages the campus bookstore, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Thomas Rebman has charged that Follett is not living up to its contract--particularly the requirement that Follett buy back textbooks under certain conditions for no less than 50% of the original cost.
Explaining the audit, Michael Elam, v-p for student development at DBCC, told the paper, "We want to send a message we're working together" with Follett. "The bottom line is we want to make sure the contract is being adhered to. We are taking Mr. Rebman seriously."
---
John Carlson has been promoted to executive director of operations at Chronicle Books. He has been with the company for 12 years, including four years in the sales division. Most recently, he led the operations group and warehouse.
In addition, Dan Janusz has been promoted to controller at Chronicle. For five years, he has been finance manager.
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