Culture of reading through old books

The idea of ​​the bookstore was nurtured since childhood, when Ms. Ngan and her younger sister roamed around the city to rent books. The wish of “growing up to open a bookstore so that we can read freely” was once uttered as a childish promise, but over time it took shape. In 2011, the first bookshelf worth 5 million VND, a gift from her parents when the family built a new house and bought furniture, was the beginning of the journey of accumulating books.

By 2016, when the number of books in the house was enough to fill several shelves, the two sisters began to think about reselling. Customers were invited to the room to choose books. Then, they started advertising on Facebook. In the early days, the simple sign hanging in front of the yard made many people around smile with doubt. However, in just the first month, revenue reached 8 million VND. When the supply expanded thanks to acquaintances from scrap collectors, old libraries, or dissolved units, there were months when revenue exceeded 17 million VND.

In Ms. Ngan’s memory, the first sale is an unforgettable image. Long lines of students came to choose books happily like a festival and nearly 2 tons of books were almost sold out. From then on, the relationship between the store and the readers became closer. Once, she spent 2 taels of wedding gold to collect books, expand the warehouse and access more valuable book sources.

Buying books does not stop at the transaction. For those who donate books, she finds the right person to return them to. If the books are no longer usable, she considers reusing them or sending them to someone who needs them. According to her, old books have their own value, depending on the reader, not on the newness or oldness of the printed paper.

The bookstore has gradually developed, not only thanks to the number of books, but also thanks to the support from the family. Having been in business, her father always emphasized the spirit of independence and supported his two children both materially and in experience. Besides books, Ms. Ngan also tried her hand at products: bonsai, flower making materials, and statues, creating a diverse and friendly space for many customers.

Customers who come to the store range from students to housewives, parents, and office workers. Books on skills, children's comics, reference books, foreign languages, textbooks, etc. always make up the majority of the search demand. Among them, many people are especially interested in books on parenting, earlyeducation , or books that have been discontinued.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huynh Nhu (residing in Binh Khanh Ward, Long Xuyen City) said that she often visits the store in her free time to look for books on child psychology and family education. She appreciates the convenience, when needed, she can text in advance and then come to pick up the books, without wasting much time.

The used book market, especially in the textbook segment, increasingly requires sellers to be flexible and have a good understanding of the curriculum in each locality and each school. According to Ms. Ngan, each region can use a different set of books. To meet the right demand, sellers must always closely monitor trends and customer feedback.

In the digital age, traditional bookstores still have a way to survive. Buyers can directly examine, hold, read, and feel each book before deciding to take it home. Many customers also like to chat and exchange with the seller, an experience that cannot be had when buying online. However, sales channels via social networks, such as: Fanpage, personal Facebook or Zalo groups are still maintained to reach customers far away.

According to Ms. Ngan, old books are part of the reading culture. Books that have been passed down through many people, and that have lain dormant on family bookshelves or in libraries, can still find new readers if placed in the right place. Even though they are no longer new, those pages still contain knowledge, cultural values ​​and emotions of the era in which they were printed.

Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, April 21, is an opportunity to look back at the relationship between people and books, especially in the context of technology increasingly changing knowledge acquisition habits. Small bookstores, used book sellers, and readers who still choose paper books are part of that quiet cultural flow. Reading does not stop at individual behavior, but also contributes to maintaining sustainable values ​​in the community: the habit of accessing knowledge through books, from generation to generation.

BICH GIANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/van-hoa-doc-qua-nhung-trang-sach-cu-a419248.html