Community's Novel Approach to Moving Thousands of Books
- Editor OGN Daily
- 9 hours ago
- 1 min read
In a delightful show of community spirit, the small town of Chelsea, Michigan, pulled off a literary feat worthy of its own story.
When the much-loved local bookstore Serendipity Books announced it was moving to a larger space, owner Michelle Tuplin was faced with a logistical challenge: how to move 9,100 books - and hundreds of boxes - without closing the business for days. So, reports NBC News, she came up with a novel idea.
Tuplin put out a call for volunteers, hoping some might lend a hand. What she got was a full-on movement - a human conveyor belt stretching 350 feet from the old store’s stockroom, around the corner and into the new location. More than 300 people showed up to help.
In less than two hours, Serendipity Books’ entire inventory had been transferred - in alphabetical order, no less. “It was just a joyful experience,” said Donna Zak, one of the volunteers. “We were passing the books and noticing and commenting to each other, ‘Oh, have you read this one? I really enjoyed this one!’”
The new storefront, which is more than twice the size of the old one, will open later this month ahead of Independent Bookstore Day on April 26, a celebration of indie shops and the communities that support them.