WAMC Radio Program Features ABA CEO Oren Teicher and Bookseller Chris Morrow

American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher and ABA Board member Chris Morrow, owner of Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont, and Saratoga Springs, New York, recently considered the role of bookstores in our current political climate on WAMC’s The Roundtable, hosted by Joe Donahue.

During the episode, titled “The Critical Role of Bookstores and Libraries in Communities,” Teicher and Morrow discussed a book signing with former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer held at Northshire Bookstore and the backlash the store received in response to the event, particularly via social media.

Morrow discussed the need to “protect people’s ability to engage freely in conversation and to listen with respect even as we deeply disagree,” as well as the value of internal debates in the store about whether to host Spicer. Both Teicher and Morrow highlighted bookstores as presenting an opportunity to bring a diverse community together in a divided political climate.

Listen to the full discussion from WAMC.