King's bookstore celebrates 5th birthday

With the sale of e-books on the rise it's uncertain what co-op's future will look like

Carolyn Gillis and her employees celebrate the bookstore's fifth birthday. Photo: Sara Samson

The King's Co-op Bookstore recently reached a milestone; it's fifth birthday.

What does Carolyn Gillis, the store manager, say is the store's biggest accomplishment of the past five years?

"The fact that we are still here!"  

For an independent bookstore, five years is a huge accomplishment.

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Bookstore celebrations. Photo: Sara Samson

The issue with E-books

The bookstore is a member of the Canadian Booksellers Association, which offers support to independent bookstores throughout the country.

Right now one of the biggest challenges for independents is figuring out what to do about the e-book market. As it currently stands most publishers won't sell e-book formats directly to independent bookstores.

Gillis finds this problematic. She says, "If you want to buy an e-book you are forced to go to Chapters or Amazon."

In a press release earlier this year, Transcontinental Printing announced it was selected by the Canadian Booksellers Association as its official supplier of e-books.

Jodi White, a senior manager for the Canadian Bookseller Association said 70 independent bookstores across the country are currently working with Transcontinental to set up e-book sales.

Of the association's 350 members, White said "every single member wants to bring e-books to their stores." 

This development is vital to independents. According to a press release from Amazon.com; e-book sales are up over hardcover books. For every 100 hardcover books sold on its site it sells 180 e-books.

This is where Gillis sees the future of the bookstore.

She says she doesn't see print books going away entirely but thinks the store will eventually become a mix of both e-books and print books.

The bookstore relies on community support

Despite the issue of e-books and competition from big retailers, the bookstore still makes a profit.

However, Gillis says, it's not huge. In 2010 the bookstore's sales were $342,074.58 and its net income was just $1406.74.

The co-op at King's is run independently from the university's administration. It also means each student who contributes a dollar has partial ownership of the co-op.

King's Co-op Bookstore relies mainly on students and members of the Halifax community for support.

For some this is an appealing part of the bookstore.

Donald Roberts, a King's first-year FYP student, said the bookstore is a great asset to the campus. He purchased all his books from it this year because the co-op carried the specific titles he needed.

"I love the fact that it's student run.... I know it's run responsibly."

However, the cost of books is an issue for students and some find they can get the books they need online, cheaper.  

Derek Campbell, also a King's first year FYP student, said he hasn't actually been to the bookstore yet and he bought all his required books from Amazon.

"I saved almost $200," he said.

What Gillis wants most for the bookstore is to be around in another five years.

"I would like to still be here and I would like to still be talking about what's coming out this fall."

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