Books & Books to the people
Calgary’s alternative bookstore becomes a co-operative
Romana Prokopiw locks the newly painted red door at Books & Books behind her. The store’s facade reflects a new direction for Calgary’s oldest alternative bookstore. At their first annual general meeting in November, Books & Books (738A - 17 Ave. S.W.) officially became Books & Books Co-operative Ltd. In the process the members present elected their first board of directors. Those nine individuals, which include four current staff at the bookstore, along with Prokopiw, now become the stewards of the store.
They are not alone though, as Prokopiw is quick to point out. The co-op is closing in on 300 members and has already raised $10,000 in member’s equity. One share is just $25 and ensures a 10 per cent discount on all purchases. Supporters are encouraged to purchase a full membership of 10 shares, at which point savings increase to 15 per cent. In true co-operative spirit, a further two per cent discount is calculated when services are lent to special projects.
Prokopiw, who spent 10 years working at Open Court Publishing in Chicago, admits that the Second City’s Seminary Co-op Bookstore was in the back of her mind when she began thinking about transforming Books & Books. She describes the period of change as the most exciting and hopeful stretch in her five years working to make Books & Books viable.
"What the store really needs is more loyal customers and more buying customers. Some of our members have bought 20 books in the past couple of months. If more people did that, things would take care of themselves."
In talking with Prokopiw it is clear that part of what the inner-city independent bookstore can offer is an intangible element. She related a recent story of a customer who came into the store with a particular inquiry in mind. He left the store, walked around the corner, but soon returned.
Prokopiw picks up the story: "And he said, ‘This store has really contributed to my random walk on 17th Avenue, and I’d like to thank you for that.’ And then he bought a book, and I think he was very pleased to have come upon this idea and to have acted on it."
Brett Code, the chairperson of the new Books & Books board, echoes the intangible value of the store. Code tells of finding Ben Okri’s The Landscapes Within almost 20 years ago as he prepared to leave for Nigeria as a CUSO volunteer.
"I wish to be part of developing the success of such a wonderful concept," he says. "The greatest thing about it, as for many independent bookstores, is that the books on offer are actually chosen by people who think that reading matters." |
