Second-hand bookshops are at the heart of British reading culture. They may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of going book shopping, and they are not even immediately related to the book trade. These shops are not supplied by publishers or wholesalers; yet they are vital to their communities. By providing accessible literature, they support the reading habits of a multitude of people. This week, our team highlights the significance of second-hand bookshops in Britain. (Spoiler alert: we think they’re wonderful.)
The smell of old books, perhaps alongside a decent cup of tea, is the epitome of a reader’s pleasure to many of us. Second-hand bookshops provide customers with these pleasures, their wares ranging from old tomes to the newest bestsellers. As many of us will know, readers can often be found browsing for hours to discover the hidden gems at the back of the shelf. Indeed, the works that find their homes in second-hand bookshops provide a welcome relief from the prize-winning literature and bestseller culture that both pervade high street bookshops. They tempt readers with works they may have never heard of before and therefore widen the reader’s repertoire. They also give exposure to books that may not have made it into the spotlight of the bestseller lists.
A feature of second-hand bookshops that students in particular will be aware of is their affordability; buying pre-loved goods can often mean that you save a lot in comparison to the original retail price. Many an English student has found their prescribed reading list for a sliver of the price of new books. This makes reading, but also education on the whole, more affordable. However, the reliance on cheap books is not restricted to those in education. The bargains available make literature more accessible to a host of readers; keeping one’s shelves well stocked can be a pricey affair on the high street. By opening the world of literature to those who cannot or will not pay full retail prices for their books, second-hand bookshops also battle the elitism associated with reading and education in Britain. The welcoming, unprejudiced atmosphere sees readers walk through their doors who may not feel completely comfortable with high street shops. Reading should not be a privilege, so second-hand bookshops have proven to be vital to their communities by providing access to affordable books, and a safe space to all readers.
More broadly speaking, the significance of these shops is strongly apparent in their contribution to sustainability. It is no secret that several million tons of paper are used in book production in the US every year, with the UK likely not far behind. If all consumers simply got rid of their books as soon as they finished reading, we would be faced with a huge amount of waste. Through second-hand bookshops, however, these unwanted books find a home that will get as much use out of the printed products as possible. The pre-loved paper has another chance to serve its purpose before being recycled, allowing several readers access to the same book. Second-hand bookshops, therefore, promote sustainable reading practices and help support sustainability in the book trade.
Charity bookshops play a special part in the used-book market as they take in donations of books and sell them to support charitable causes. They also support the sustainability and affordability of reading while also advocating for causes outside of their community. One’s unwanted cookery guides or old poetry collections can support those in need. And often, Gift Aid schemes allow customers to double the effect of their donations with a share of their tax money. Moreover, as many charity bookshops receive large donations, those works that are in too poor a condition to be sold are recycled by the charity, ensuring the paper is appropriately disposed of. Buying pre-owned books in a charity bookshop, therefore, benefits the local community, the environment, and those in need.
Second-hand bookshops provide vital services to their communities by making reading accessible and affordable to all. They shine their spotlights on authors and works that may get overlooked in high street shops and allow reading enthusiasts to browse for hours on end. They also play an important role in ensuring the sustainability of reading practices and the support of the larger community through charity bookshops. Next time, dear reader, when you consider spending an afternoon browsing a bookshop for fun, why not visit your local second-hand bookshop and see what hidden gems you can find?
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