While community bookstore numbers aren’t what they once were, independent and smaller bookstores are reclaiming their place in society. Behind their surprise resurgence is renewed emphasis on fostering community. In the past decade, the number of independent bookstores in the United States has grown by more than 50%, from 1,651 stores to more than 2,500, according to Dan Cullen, senior strategy officer of the American Booksellers Association. Last year, sales increased by 5%, says Mr. Cullen.
The city of La Mirada gained such a bookstore last fall when Stevens Books opened up their second store on Imperial Highway near La Mirada Boulevard. Most of their inventory consists of used books at very reasonable prices. While they do specialize in Christian books, the book store stocks a broad range of categories, especially featuring current bestsellers, children’s books, fiction, mysteries, sci-fi, and fantasy. The non-fiction categories include biographies, travel, African-American, Spanish language, cooking, graphic design, art, fashion, history, politics and more. We are also known for the extensive collection of children’s books and hard to find out of print titles.
Besides books, they offer many free monthly events such as children’s storytime, face painting, movie nights, drawing classes, puppet shows, music, poetry readings, book clubs, author signings, knitting club meet-ups and many more. Check the Stevens Books Facebook page for their schedule of events. You will also find in the store books from local authors as well as gifts (including jewelry, apparel, and artist works) and children’s toys.
Do you have old books you would like to donate or even possibly earn cash? Stevens Books will buy back textbooks and will gladly accept donations of used books. Hector Rivera, a part-time employee at the community bookstore, says the stores mission is to send out books around the world. Mr. Rivera was so impressed with the mission of Stevens Books explained by owner Joseph Volansky that he started working at the store as a volunteer.
Stevens Books provides books and materials for libraries and schools throughout the United States and the world as they continue to work toward their mission, to support the growth of education and to transform lives with the Gospel. While they focus their work on Christian schools, there is a demand for books of all types, so they also support the increase in overall literacy in the La Mirada area. They encourage children to begin reading at an early age. It opens up new worlds and feeds their curiosity to learn more about their surroundings. They have an extensive array of books for young readers and books that parents can read to their children…over and over again!
Click here for more information on La Mirada’s only community bookstore.
Source & Photo Credit: Stevens Books | Christian Science Monitor