April 30th, 2022 is Canadian Independent Bookstore Day (CIBD), an opportunity for the book community to come together and celebrate indie bookstores across Canada!
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 and engage in important discourse. 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 – including writers who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and LGBTQ2S+ – from across Canada’s rich cultural landscape.
Indie booksellers work hard to serve their customers and communities. CIBD is our opportunity to say thank you.
~The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association, “Why Celebrate Indie Bookstores?”
The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA) has shared a list of ways everyone can participate in the event:
- Buy books! Purchase books and other items from your local indie bookstore in-person, online, or by phone to show your support (and then enter CIBA’s Contest for Book Lovers).
- Check out bookstore activities. Local shops across Canada are planning celebratory activities for the big day including customer giveaways, discounts, exclusive products, author events, and more. Visit their websites and social channels for details.
- Help spread the word. CIBD is an opportunity to raise awareness about everything that indies have to offer. Follow CIBA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and share their info about the campaign.
Don’t have a go-to indie bookstore? Check out Read Alberta’s Bookseller Profiles, or use this tool to find an independent bookstore near you in Alberta:
However you choose to celebrate, Read Alberta hopes you have a fabulous Canadian Independent Bookstore Day!