Dec 23

Written by: Bruce A. Sarte
Friday, December 23, 2011 9:38 AM 

Started by Book Shop Santa Cruz in California, the pledge is a commitment to buy, in any given month, one fewer book at Amazon or a box-store and one more book at an Independent Book Store.  Book Shop reported that dozens of customers said that they were buying a book partially because of the pledge - but also because they wanted to ensure that Bookshop Santa Cruz could survive and thrive and because they wanted to help boost the local economy by keeping their dollars local.

The Book Shop Santa Cruz notes on their website:
A recent study found that even customers who define themselves as loyal independent bookstore customers only buy four out of every ten books from an independent bookstore. Imagine what would happen if everyone dedicated themselves to buying that fifth book from an independent as well. For a store like ours, it means more local jobs, more author events, the ability to carry more unique, small press titles and more money flowing to local schools, libraries and public safety through the collection of local sales tax and store donations.

You can make a difference -- you can keep the money in your local economy simply by buying a book from an Independent book store.  There was a study done recently that says that 60-65% of each dollar spent at local, independent stores stays local -- as opposed to 35-40% of each dollar spent at big box or major retailers... and absolutely 0 of that is local when you buy from Amazon.

I urge you to find your local Independent Book Seller and stop in -- tell them you want to take the One Book Pledge!  Many Indie stores are now starting to let you buy ONLINE too -- that counts!  Even if your local store does not participate in the pledge, buying a book from them instead of Barnes & Noble will still help them keep their doors open and keep your local economy moving.  

Take the pledge today!  I did -- and you can too!