Just as with a good book, the value of independent bookstores cannot be judged by what’s on the cover.
From the outside, these bookshops might seem like any other local small business. But within those walls, they serve as places to exchange ideas, to meet new people, and to transport readers to strange new worlds.
That is what Wild Geese Bookshop owner Tiffany Phillips has tried to create since opening her store in downtown Franklin in 2016.
“People need safe spaces where they feel included and welcomed, and people have a tangible place to walk around,” she said. “What we do is a healing force, it’s a loving place in the community. It’s filled with wonder.
“We try to help people connect with themselves, and connect with other.”
On Saturday, Wild Geese Bookshop and independent bookstores all over the country will take time to celebrate their customers and their roles in the community. On what’s known as Independent Bookstore Day, people can scoop up special releases by renowned and emerging authors, while kids can meet with Paddington Bear.
To help support Imagination Library of Johnson County’s goal to get books into the hands of kids, visitors can try their skill at a “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”-themed putting green. Prizes will be given throughout the day.
Phillips has had to alter the celebration due to the pandemic, but still her hope is that Saturday will still be a day of fun that raises awareness for indie bookstores at the same time.
“It’s important for us to do every year, because it highlights that it’s an important thing for a community to have an independent bookstore,” Phillips said. “We feel thankful to be in the community, and we hope people in the community are thankful for the service we provide.”
Independent Bookstore Day was founded as a way to bring attention to small shops in cities and towns throughout the country. The event is held on the last Saturday in April, and since it started nationally in 2015 the campaign has grown to include hundreds of stores throughout the U.S.
As services such as Amazon have made ordering books online more convenient and affordable, a notable effort is being made to push back and support independent bookstores. Indie shops had been on the rise throughout the nation.
Like every other small business, the pandemic created massive challenges for independent bookstores. More than 70 independent bookstores closed this past year and many others are still in danger of closing, according to the American Booksellers Association. As of January, 20% of indie bookstores were in danger of closing.
But at the same time, aspects of the industry rallied. In 2020, 42 new independent bookstores opened, and online sales at indie stores increased by 680%.
Supporting these stores provides not only a boost for one business, but for entire city economies.
“All of the dollars spent in our bookstore, as opposed to going to an online giant, go back in the community. We employ people, we pay local taxes, we donate to various charities and fundraisers throughout the year,” Phillips said. “There are infinite examples of things we do in the shop that are done intentionally to make sure we’re investing back in Indiana as much as possible for the things on our shelves.”
More than 700 stores across the country are participating in the Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday. Viewpoint Books in Columbus will set up inside and outdoors with live storytime, special appearances and other events. Fables & Fairy Tales Bookshop in Martinsville plans to have refreshments, giveaways, a bookstore scavenger hunt and virtual events.
Special offerings during the day include signed copies of books by Kawai Strong Washburn, Jeff Vandermeer and Nigella Lawson, a “Bad Citizen” stencil featuring a quote by George Orwell, a print based on the children’s book “The ABCs of Black History” by Rio Cortez and a short story by Stephen King and Joe Hill.
“Authors create exclusives for the day, because they appreciate what we do for books,” Phillips said.
Wild Geese Bookshop has held an Independent Bookstore Day celebration every year since 2017. The first year, Phillips recruited the Circle City Sidewalk Stompers, the official pep band of the Indiana Pacers, to perform through downtown Franklin to the store. Local author Jessica Nunemaker did a book signing and presentation, and snacks were served throughout the day.
Each year since, Phillips has tried to do something unique in recognition of the day. For example, she joined forces with the owners of Viewpoint Books to put together a map of Indiana independent bookstores and print them on a tote bag, so people could visit multiple stores in one day.
“It’s almost like a birthday party, both for bookstores and their customers, so we try to make everyone who comes out that day feel like they’re something special,” she said.
The pandemic forced the delay and downsize of the celebration in 2020, and though Independent Bookstore Day will be more open again this year, Phillips still wanted to take precautions considering guests’ safety. The visit by Paddington Bear will give kids something special to do from a distance, and the putting green fundraiser provides an outdoor activity that supports a great cause in the Imagination Library of Johnson County.
“There will be some things for people to do while they’re waiting outside, since we still limit how many people can be in at a time,” Phillips said. “We wanted to do things outside that were in the spirit of reading that would be fun while people wait.”
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Independent Bookstore Day
What: A celebration of indie bookshops and their customers, filled with special activities, exclusive releases and prizes.
Where: Wild Geese Bookshop, 107 S. Water St., Franklin
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Activities
- Exclusive Independent Bookstore Day merchandise, such as releases by Stephen King, Kawai Strong Washburn and Nigella Lawson
- A live visit from Paddington Bear
- A one-hole “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”-themed mini golf green to benefit the Imagination Library of Johnson County
- Prizes given throughout the day
Information: facebook.com/wildgeesebookshop
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