With Independent Bookstore Day postponed until August 29 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Saturday became instead the culmination of #VirtualBookstoreParty week, an alternative celebration featuring giveaways, contests, promotions, online author events and even--at Green Apple Books, San Francisco, Calif.--a haiku contest. Virtual IBD was also a day for reflection and gratitude in perilous times. Here's a sampling:
Legends Bookstore, Cody, Wyo.: "Normally, Indie Bookstore Day is held on the last Saturday in April (today).... This has grown to be a big day for us.... We can't thank our community enough for having our back during this crazy time. We will be coming up on our 5th year in business in July and would not have made it that far without all of you. We are stronger together."
Pages Bookshop, Detroit, Mich.: "Today is a hard one for us. For the last five years, today is a day we look forward to all year long.... It's the day we open our doors to tons of smiling faces coming to celebrate the magic of indie bookstores, which is to say: it's a day about community.... It's about all of us, together. So even if we can't gather, let's still make this day a celebration."
The Bookshop, East Nashville, Tenn.: "We miss you all extra today and wish we were celebrating together--but look forward to the day this nook is safely back open. Until then, thank you, thank you, thank you for the Bookshop and bundle orders. So grateful for this community."
Hickory Stick Bookshop, Washington, Conn.: "It's weird not having a packed store and a big party today, but we are still finding ways to celebrate! This morning we came in and graffitied our windows with messages of love and joy for you, our amazing customers. When you do curbside pick-up, take a moment to read these notes and remember: we love you, and we can't wait to open our doors to you again. Stay safe, be well, and read some great books."
Wheatberry Books, Chillicothe, Ohio: "I wanted to pause today and thank all of our customers for your continued support. I celebrate each and every one of you every day, whether I am fulfilling online orders at the bookstore or filling prescriptions at the pharmacy. Today I happen to be doing both! Your physical health and your mental and emotional health are important to me, and I truly believe in the healing power of books. Stay well and keep reading! I can't wait to see you in the bookshop soon--Chelsea."
Pagination Bookshop, Springfield, Mo.: "Today is #independentbookstoreday AND our first year anniversary! Wow, did we have a different idea as to how this day would go! {I still plan on cake!}.... We can't wait until we can all gather together again in the shop, among friends, surrounded by stories."
Reads & Company, Phoenixville, Pa.: "We hope you'll celebrate indies today and every day, by shopping with us online and cheering us on thru social media. And get ready: August 29 will be one hell of a party!"
Point Reyes Books, Point Reyes Station, Calif.: "Celebrations have been postponed... but in many ways we feel more grateful than ever for your incredible support. Thank you! We're celebrating today among these 2020 bookstore essentials: packing tape, postage scale, hand sanitizer, and piles of books to be mailed. We cannot wait to see you again!"
Barrington Books, Barrington, R.I.: "We are still celebrating what it means to be an independent bookstore--steeped in our community and supported by truly awesome folks--our customers, friends and neighbors. While we won't have in-store readings, live music or balloons (ok, so we may still have balloons) we do have some virtual fun planned for you! So join the party!"
Valley Bookseller, Stillwater, Minn.: "This year is... different. Our doors are locked, the store is quiet and the official party has been moved to late August. However, we still want to celebrate.... Thank you for supporting us during this ordeal. Every order ensures we can come together to celebrate readers, books and community on the official IBD in August."
Viewpoint Books, Columbus, Ind.: "It certainly wasn't the Independent Bookstore Week we had envisioned, but we are so happy to hear from and see so many of you virtually this week.... We plan to celebrate IBW together again in August, hopefully in person. Until then, stay safe, stay well, and keep reading."
For the #VirtualBookstoreParty, Libro.fm gave away two free audiobooks, On Cats by Charles Bukowski and Wanderlust, USA by Flula Borg, and reactivated its ShopBookstoresNow offer (two audio titles for the price of one with a new membership, with the $14.99 paid by the customer going to the bookstore of their choice) that has raised nearly $100,000 for bookstores. On Saturday, Libro.fm had a 105% increase in new monthly memberships compared to IBD 2019.
Libro.fm has also sold more than 3,000 pairs of socks, raising more than $22,000 for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc), through its #SocksForBinc campaign.
"More than ever, book lovers are showing their support for their local bookstores and #VirtualBookstoreParty was a great opportunity to do so last week," said Stephanie Ballien, director of marketing at Libro.fm.