~ by Ryan Hildebrand, Senior Vice-President of Books
It’s Canadian Independent Bookstore Day! Today, book lovers across the country will celebrate indie bookstores and the vital role they play. It’s the annual day when readers, writers, illustrators, publishers, and others come together to celebrate indie bookstores across Canada. By joining the celebration, you are advocating for independent businesses, supporting a flourishing bookselling community, and investing in Canadian culture.
Independent booksellers are an integral part of Canadian culture. As professionals, they are deeply passionate about their work, prioritize best-in-class customer service, and provide unmatched value for the book-buying public.
But it’s more than that. Indie bookstores are pillars of the communities in which they reside. Their staff are actively involved in the neighbourhood and provide an inclusive space where people can connect over shared interests. Local booksellers also play a vital role in the Canadian literary ecosystem. They are conduits of discovery, championing Canadian creators at all career stages and introducing Canadian readers to a diverse range of voices from across Canada’s rich cultural landscape.
We’re proud to support Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, and this is the third year Friesens has been involved in printing special bookmarks, distributing them to over 150 independent bookstores across Canada.
How can you participate? Well, you can go to an independent bookstore and buy books! You can also see what your local indie bookstore is up to today and encourage your friends and family to “shop indie”!
