On Demand Education Sessions

Booksellers who have successfully expanded sections to include diverse books will share resources and techniques for buying, marketing, and handselling these books. Panelists will represent stores from communities of different sizes and demographics.

Marley Dias, in conversation with Suzanna Hermans of Oblong Books, will discuss her journey from New Jersey tween to viral activist sensation—and now to author. Marley’s effort to diversify the characters on her bookshelf by collecting #1000BlackGirlBooks was celebrated by thousands of readers, and by booksellers across the country who supported her campaign in their stores and on social media. At this event, Marley will engage in a lively Q&A about reaching young readers who are equally interested in activism, pop culture, and serious news As she said in an Elle.com interview, “My generation feels the pressure to make things better, but we need more spaces to speak our minds and to make a difference.” Marley will encourage booksellers to make their stores a go-to resource for young people and their varied passions.

Creating an inclusive environment is essential to broadening the goodwill and customer base of any bookstore. Panelists will discuss the social and financial reasons for making your store accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, strategies for educating staff, how to make accommodations for staff and customers with disabilities, ideas for special programming and related outreach, and resources to guide such initiatives.

• Kimberly Cake, Enchanted Passage (Sutton, MA)
• Drew Sieplinga, Wild Rumpus (Minneapolis, MN)
• Susan Kusel, [words] Bookstore (Maplewood, NJ) (Moderator)
   

Jason Reynolds tells the story of being a reluctant reader as a child, to being a bookseller at Karibu Bookstore, and how all of it helped shape him as a writer.

Bookstores everywhere are resources and gathering places in their communities but underrepresented and disenfranchised students often lack the means to visit your store or are unaware of how much you have to offer.  In these cases, partnering with religious, cultural, and non-profit organizations, as well as underprivileged schools, can help reach new customers.  Learn from booksellers across the country who have been successful in bridging this divide and creatively getting a share of Title I money so books can find a home in diverse households of all income levels.

• Jenny Cohen, Waucoma Bookstore (Hood River, OR)
• Shirley Mullin, Kids Ink (Indianapolis, IN)
• Angie Tally, The Country Bookshop (Southern Pines, NC)
• Sarah Hutton, Village Books (Bellingham, WA) (moderator)