In a joint statement released to mark World Book Day (which took place April 23), leaders of three major organizations serving the publishing industry issued a rallying cry to support the country’s booksellers as they struggle to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the joint statement, Maria Pallante, president and CEO of the Association of American Publishers, Mary Rasenberger, executive director of the Authors Guild, and Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, said: “Sadly, after a decade of recovery and growth that affirmed the importance of reading, writing, and publishing, bookstores are suddenly facing a moment of monumental crisis at the hands of the COVID-19 pandemic. In some instances, these beloved institutions, which mean so much to so many communities, face the very real possibility that they will never open their doors again.
“We cannot let this happen because we need bookstores now more than ever. As award-winning poet and writer Jen Campbell wrote in her book The Bookshop Book, “Bookshops are dreams built of wood and paper. They are time travel and escape and knowledge and power. They are, simply put, the best of places. Everybody wins when bookstores succeed.”
The three leaders urged the public to “visit your community bookstores online or find them at indiebound.org. You can also make a donation to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation at Save Indie Bookstores.”
