Look what has just come in! They make me swoon. Enjoy! Better yet, stop in and see them in person. There are plenty other books to also experience. 
Addison County
[Used] Books vs E-books
Right off, my comparison is going to be a lot different than you are probably use to. As a seller of used books I’m not frightened of e-readers. Not at all. Why you ask? Well, let’s look at the differences.
When you think of used books you might think of an image such as:
Or what about this:
Or:
Books – physical books – stir emotions. Create anticipation. Discovery. As well as artistic backdrops. The smell, possible notations from previous owner(s), mementos tuck in between pages. Even serve as a diary. A diary of remembrance. A pile of books. Enjoyable to look at. Am I not right? Of course I am!
Here’s a couple of e-book (Kindle) images my daughter took. I told her to think artistically.
(What is she reading???)
And to be fair, one more:
See what I mean? And of course, real books are better to read. Maybe heavier but so much more personality. I know I’m right. And to be fair to my daughter, she has piles of books around. Piles! I don’t know why she has a Kindle but I don’t judge.
And besides, you’ll never see this with any e-books – an aisle full of them.
Otter Creek Used Books On Stage
I went online and snagged the following photos posted on the college’s Middlebury Campus newspaper [http://middleburycampus.com/2013/01/27/into-the-woods/]. I just had to show the set. Be forewarned! You are going to swoon. All the books came from the store and the pages (leaves) were books that were either falling apart or destined for the local recycling center. Can you imagine a book not wanting to be a part of this amazing set? For information about the play see my previous post. Enjoy!
And Starring….Otter Creek Used Books
Yes, books from the store will be starring in Middlebury College “J” term’s production of INTO THE WOODS. How much fun is that? A lot of fun!
Ok, there will be college actors and all that but seriously it’s all about the books, isn’t it?
Doug Anderson, Executive Director of Town Hall Theater here in Middlebury is the stage director and has done a “J” term musical production for a number of years. His vision for this year’s set was a library. And well, you know what a library consists of. So he contacted me to see if it was possible to supply him with a great number of books. Of course! I don’t know how many boxes went out of the store but a lot. Now I’m itching to see the set. But I’m going to be a good audience. Yes, I could have slipped in but I want to experience the whole theatrical effect – lights, audience, smell. The whole theater experience.
Here’s a photo of some of the students loading up one of the cars:
And to give you an idea of what the set will look like here is a mock-up of one scene:
Took my breathe away! The trees – apple ladders – with their leaves of book pages. (Note: all pages were from books falling apart.) And see all the bookshelves? It blew my mind to see this and made me so jealous that I never thought of such a set. I know, I’m such a nerd! But tonight I will be a happy nerd and a proud used bookseller seeing my books under the lights.
Resolution Time!
I generally don’t make resolutions but I decided this year I would and publicly announce them. I should clarify, store related. Personally I don’t make any. I’m not even going to put myself in that position. Store related is different. Its professional. It is all about the store and being a good used bookstore lady and representative of the industry. An industry I believe in and one that I feel has a strong future. Seriously now, do you believe that e-books will totally replace books? I don’t. Even if I didn’t own a used bookstore I’d feel that way. Anyways, before I lose track of this post…
Resolutions. What kind of resolution would a used bookstore want to make? Post more books online, is one thing. Make a conscious effort in blogging and better represent the books that enter the store. Feature them. Write about them. Maybe work towards creating an inventory of the books? And how about this one…read. Yes, read. I’m giving myself permission to read when the store is open. Well, that’s crazin
ess, you are probably thinking. You think I read all the time. No. I don’t. Actually there is a lot of work to do in a used bookstore. It can be what you want to make of it. I chose to be – or try – to be on top of the incoming books. By now you know that I don’t like boxes of books lying around. Especially me. So I try to go through them quickly to SPS (sort, price, shelve). But lately I’m finding myself not so intense about them. Am I getting lax? Maybe so. Or maybe I’m starting to feel more comfortable with the store and relaxing some. Something to ponder, if one so chooses.
There might be more to the list but for someone who doesn’t make New Year’s resolutions I think that it’s a lot. So with that…here’s to an awesome 2013!
Merry Christmas!
I didn’t mean to let all this time get away from me between posts. Ah, the life of a used bookstore, I guess. I’ve just been busy with my routine and blogging became secondary. My weekly updates fell flat but there is always a New Year’s resolution to make. I’ll give that the old-used-bookstore try for 2013.
I’ve been working through the many boxes that have come into the store the past couple of months. But yet, isn’t that what I’m always doing? Very eclectic stuff. I’ve set aside books to post online. Mainly with Abebooks.com. I do have to come clean. At a recent Vermont Antiquarian Booksellers Association (VABA) meeting I got a scolding for mentioning that I boycott Amazon. WHY? they shouted. So I explained my reasoning and they informed me that I was being stupid because, unfortunately that is where they generally make the most sells. Rats! I shouted back. Mainly to myself. They told me it was easy so just do it. So I did. I posted one book. That’s where the market is and even though I may not agree with that (in principle) that’s the way of the market. Sometimes being stubborn is not such a good thing. Another New Year’s resolution.
I had a couple of anniversaries recently. One year of moving to the Marble Works and six years of owning the business. And throw in a wedding anniversary, too. Hard to believe six years of Otter Creek Used Books. It has become such a part of my life and so enjoyable. I’m very happy here in the Marble Works, and happy to own such a business.
I actually had a reason to post today and I got away from that. This Thursday – 12/13/2012 – the store will be open for Middlebury’s Stag & Doe Night. Part of the Very Merry Middlebury December celebrations. The store will be open additional hours, 5-8 pm. I’m offering 10% off all purchases during those hours to add to the fun.
Now we just need some snow!
Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes Under Glass
Great A, little a,
Bouncing B;
The cat’s in the cupboard,
And she can’t see.
I thought I would feature these nursery book pages that are hanging around the store.
The book came in with a moldy cover but fortunately the pages were still okay. Phew! I rescued them and have some posted around the store as well as two pages framed. What is interesting about the frames is that they are reversible! What?! Yes, each page features a rhyme on each side so how could one side be covered up? If you get tired of one side just flip the frame to the other side and admire the other rhyme for a while.
Here is an example of the front of the frame:
And here is the back of the frame which is also under glass:
How clever, huh? Framing was done by Nancy of Artemis Framing, who also is the Marble Works gardener. The pages are sold separately or if interested, Nancy can mount and frame for you. Nancy is so talented!
Stop in and check them out.
A Full Year! Come Celebrate! 50% Sale!
Can you believe it? It has been a year. A full year in the Historic Marble Works. A year of windows, nooks, reorganization, change of staff (addition of a grandson, Greyson), new neighbors (can’t get any better than Costello’s Market!) and so much more.
To celebrate I decided to hold a week long celebration of a 50% sale. I want to do this in appreciation to everyone who’s been in to support the move and to meet new people. So stop in! Everything is on sale: lamps, bookends, other misc. stuff and of course, books! The sale runs through Saturday, September 22, 2012.
Busy Day Here In the Used Book Store
A quiet moment…been busy today. I’m learning about the new program I have for buying back textbooks. Yes, I buy used textbooks. It probably undignifies me in the glamorous world of antiquarian books but it helps me out through my slow months of April, May, and June. Once the weather starts warming after chilly winters Vermonters go outdoors and get their gardens ready, head up to Church Street (in Burlington) to people watch, or take to the hiking trails, go fishing. Anything to be outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Those months who feels like reading? Well, me but if I could I would also be outside. And it also helps to bring in college students to check out the store.
I didn’t mean to leave my last post up so long. I actually forgot about it. (yea, right!) Every day since I posted it I had the intention to change it but the store got busy. Today I had a conversation with a customer who mentioned the post which reminded me I had to change it. As soon as I had a moment. Here’s my moment. Late in the afternoon.
As I mentioned earlier it’s been about buying back textbooks today. I’m working with a new company as the previous was recently sold to Penntext.com. Their site is up but it’s going through revision. Should be live soon. Then one can type in an ISBN number and purchase textbooks online. Lauren, the Remote Buyback Coordinator, was in the store for a meet and greet, and go over everything. We were even able to help a mother looking for her son’s college books. Remember when you or your college kids are finished with the books bring them in and I’ll buy them back from you. Cash on the spot. Actually a check but the bank is just a bit away. Then I’ll ship them to Lauren. Well, actually the company in PA.
Today I’ve also been trying to figure out a way to reconfigure the ‘front room’. Where the cash register is. I need a bigger table/counter. I think I’m going to take a door we have in in our garage and make it into a countertop. I like that idea but now I’ve got to come up with an idea of what to lay the door on. Could make bookshelves from other doors. Oh, Rusty! What cha doing? Nothing? Oh, have I got a project for you!
Sorry for no photos. I can’t get my new laptop to recognize my cellphone. That’ll be tomorrow’s project.
August 10 2012 Middlebury Arts Walk @ OCUB
Poetry in the Park[ing Lot]
Inspiration can be found anywhere. Including a parking lot. Be a part of a Poetry Event!
How?
Marble Works Signage
Drive to and park in the north Marble Works parking lot with a copy of your favorite poem. Post the poem in your car windshield for all to read as one mingles through the lot.
Then stop in the store and view our featured poet, local resident, Ginger Dowling Miller.
And…
all poetry books will be 50% off during the Arts Walk, August 10, 2012, 5 pm-7 pm.
“Each space in the parking lot is marked with a simple bit of wisdom.” ~lisaleonardonline.com.
Otter Creek Used Books 