Category Archives: Bookstores

Birmingham, Bookstores

Birmingham-Area Bookstores

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About 3 years ago, I started posting photo-tours of local independent bookstores. I keep the rundown on a Bookstores page here. Sadly, many stores have come and gone. But new ones keep getting added. We have a great indie bookstore scene. A few of the posts could probably use some sprucing, new photos, etc. but the information is accurate.

Today, I started adding photo tours of some of the used-bookstores in the Birmingham-area. We have some really great “Friends of the Library” stores where you can find some really good deals. Not everything has been culled from the library stacks either. Many have been donated. So you stand a good chance of finding a $2 hardback, in great condition, without stamps, card envelopes, etc.

I just added my recent BPL Used-Bookstore tour to the lineup, so you can check it out. And do sign-up for their emails. As promised they have come regularly with information about what’s new and even early-notice on special pricing deals. Plus, whatever you buy at these stores usually goes back into supporting your local library.

Bookstore Ideas, Bookstores

A Great Idea for Bookstores

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I get these via the Twitter feed of the Birmingham-area’s newest coffee/bookshop Church Street Coffee & Books:

How cool is that? And how hard is that do to? I’ve yet to reply and send in an order, but I know I will one day. The urge is always there. When I see these tweets I always want to reply. It almost feels like they’re saying “I’m headed to the store, want me to grab you something?”

This level of interaction is going to be crucial for bookshops going forward. They don’t have to chat with me everyday. They don’t have to interrupt me every day. But they are making a very personal one-on-one service easily available to me. And I like that.

Chalk this one up as a “Best Practice for Bookshops”.

Birmingham, Bookstores, library

Birmingham Central Library Bookstore Updated

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**This is an old post. The Library Bookstore has a new location. You can see and read about it here.**

The Friends Bookstore at the Central Library downtown has been re-vamped and re-opened. For the past couple of weeks, patrons have been able to come in a peruse the newly culled (and VERY well organized) stock of surplus library and donated books.

The Friends Bookstore is even entering into the service side of things, as you can now email them (bplfriendsbookstore [at] gmail.com) and ask to be added to the “new stock” distribution list. So every time the shop adds to their shelves, you’ll get an email. Pretty nifty.

They have even left shelf space for the new additions. So you can run in on a lunch break and see if there is anything new, without having to cruise through all the shelves.

The new set-up also sports new reading chairs and more shelf space for kids and teen books.

One of my favorite new tweaks is that now the overstock magazines are folded in with the books. So when you’re looking at the books on history or crafts, the magazines that fit in that category are on the shelf with the books. The shelves also have new bright green category labels and shelf-talkers, making it easier to navigate the sections.

The books still run from 50 cents (paperback) to $2 (hardback). So the prices are sure to keep you coming back.

The store is on the 2nd floor of the downtown brancj and will be open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 2:30-5:30 p.m. It is maintained by the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library.

Birmingham, Bookshelf, Bookstore Tourism, Bookstore Travels, Bookstores

Church Street Coffee & Books

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Church Street Coffee & Books
81 Church Street
Birmingham, AL 35213
Church Street Coffee & Books (site) @81ChurchStreet (twitter) Church Street (facebook)

Church Street opened its doors on July 2, 2011. I stopped by on opening day to see what they had to offer, in the way of books. The selection there was great! It’s not huge, but very well curated. You can tell that this is a shop isn’t just run by folks who like coffee… they are also readers. It doesn’t take a customer long to figure out that some real thought and research went into the books part of the business. The first thing you see when you walk in is a floor-to-ceiling double bookcase of fiction titles. It was great fun looking through what they had and it felt kind of like visiting a neighbor’s home and perusing their personal library. There is usually just one copy of a book on the shelf and no floor stacks of the latest big-name thriller. So stop by and see what Birmingham’s newest indie bookstore has to offer.

They also have about 8 tables and a couple of big comfy chairs to sit in. I didn’t check to see if they have wi-fi and it was too hot, of a day, for me to buy coffee. But I did pick up a copy of Deborah Blum’s “The Poisoner’s Handbook“. It’s been my experience that coffee shops see books as an “add on” type deal. That’s obviously not the case here and I’m excited to see what they have to offer on down the road.

Below are some photos of what the shelves looked like on opening day.

This is what greets you when you enter the shop.
They have a mostly-fiction section under the banner “Summer Reads”
The kids section is tucked in the corner. Complete with bean bag chair.
I like the shelf talkers that start each section. The look like bookmarks.
The first case of non-fiction is to your right as you walk in.
The other case of non-fiction is across from the coffee counter.
Lots of books on little tables & around the registers. They even have books on the walls.