The proliferation of charity and community bookshops is substantially the product of tax policy. Commercial property is taxed at ~50% of the nominal rental value, but charities are substantially or wholly exempt from this tax. Importantly, this tax is owed regardless of whether the property is occupied; for a commercial landlord, it is therefore preferable to lease a unit to a charity at a peppercorn rent if the unit is expected to remain vacant for some time. This has had a profound effect on the makeup of retail tenants, particularly in small towns with high vacancy rates, which some argue amounts to a harmful market distortion.
Yes, perhaps there's an argument that having charity shops is better for the area overall than having too many vacant shop fronts. But if that's the case, why not cut business rates for all, rather than for this arbitrary group?
The group Turning the Page operates pop-up Carpe Librum stores in space provided by the owners of commercial properties in Washington, DC. In some cases, a building is scheduled for demolition and replacement--the store at 17th between K and L NW had an unusually long run.
Periodically the commercial real estate market sags, and it is some years before it picks up again. An owner can be caught between the end of the leases and the rebuilding. In these cases, a charity bookshop is probably not a bad tenant. It is unlikely to disturb neighboring properties with noise or litter. It will probably not start a fire, as squatters have inadvertently done in a vacant block downtown.
And I really don't think that in a large city this is unlikely to distort the market. I haven't counted the vacant storefronts within five blocks either way of the current Carpe Librum at 14th and I NW, but there are quite a few.
In my country (Australia), charity shops have only a poor book selection and there are no charity book shops. 2nd hand book shops are for profit, although I doubt the profit is very large.
Charity shops benefit the shoppers and the donators, who benefit from how easy it is to get rid of their stuff, compared to the alternatives that are time consuming or difficult.
To be honest, I prefer charity shops to professional shops for 2nd hand books.
That said, I still visit professional shops rather more than I should (it depends on the shop.)
Of course charity shops are cheaper, that's part of the appeal, but I have more success in them because they are less discerning.
Over the years I've acquired a LOT of books, so now I tend to limit myself more. Mostly I now collect science fiction, with an emphasis on work pre 1970. These were made cheap, and are usually in "poor" condition now.
Professional shops won't shelve them, whereas charity shops will, so I have more success there.
Just curious what sorts of older books you find in the best condition.
Ie, even when buying a new book today I’d rather pay $1 or $2 more in price on good paper that won’t turn yellow in a few years, but it seems most publishers aim for the lowest common denominator on shitty paper.
I’ve had some general luck with hardbacks being more robust but it’s not always the case.
Just seeing if you had thoughts on book types or publishing houses with the best paper that has lasted over the years.
I've had a lot more luck with science fiction in professional shops than in charity shops. In the latter I tend to find only mainstream fiction and non-fiction. It's exceedingly rare to find any sci-fi at all. I wish I knew one where people brought it in.
One thing I enjoy is when people get rid of their computer science textbooks. They are sometimes older editions, but can be had for less than 10% of the original price. It's rare, though, so just have to keep going and take the opportunity when it arises.
A.Z. Fell has a decent bookshop but when I called recently they said: "Fell's Bookshop. We probably don't have what you're looking for and we wouldn't sell it to you if we did."
Also the trend for free book exchanges in disused phone boxes! My local village has a working phone box, presumably because mobile phone service is lacklustre! It has still become a community book exchange despite being live!. I'm reading one of their books right now actually! One of the classic orange Penguin editions of 'Carry On, Jeeves' by P.G. Wodehouse!
jdietrich|1 year ago
rahimnathwani|1 year ago
cafard|1 year ago
Periodically the commercial real estate market sags, and it is some years before it picks up again. An owner can be caught between the end of the leases and the rebuilding. In these cases, a charity bookshop is probably not a bad tenant. It is unlikely to disturb neighboring properties with noise or litter. It will probably not start a fire, as squatters have inadvertently done in a vacant block downtown.
And I really don't think that in a large city this is unlikely to distort the market. I haven't counted the vacant storefronts within five blocks either way of the current Carpe Librum at 14th and I NW, but there are quite a few.
kristianp|1 year ago
Charity shops benefit the shoppers and the donators, who benefit from how easy it is to get rid of their stuff, compared to the alternatives that are time consuming or difficult.
RobotToaster|1 year ago
It would be good if it was extended to organisations like CIC however.
WaitWaitWha|1 year ago
bruce511|1 year ago
That said, I still visit professional shops rather more than I should (it depends on the shop.)
Of course charity shops are cheaper, that's part of the appeal, but I have more success in them because they are less discerning.
Over the years I've acquired a LOT of books, so now I tend to limit myself more. Mostly I now collect science fiction, with an emphasis on work pre 1970. These were made cheap, and are usually in "poor" condition now.
Professional shops won't shelve them, whereas charity shops will, so I have more success there.
jeffwass|1 year ago
Ie, even when buying a new book today I’d rather pay $1 or $2 more in price on good paper that won’t turn yellow in a few years, but it seems most publishers aim for the lowest common denominator on shitty paper.
I’ve had some general luck with hardbacks being more robust but it’s not always the case.
Just seeing if you had thoughts on book types or publishing houses with the best paper that has lasted over the years.
globular-toast|1 year ago
One thing I enjoy is when people get rid of their computer science textbooks. They are sometimes older editions, but can be had for less than 10% of the original price. It's rare, though, so just have to keep going and take the opportunity when it arises.
AntoniusBlock|1 year ago
jonathanoliver|1 year ago
onion2k|1 year ago
ZeroGravitas|1 year ago
It also mentioned, at the end, the trend I'd noticed for schools, supermarkets and others to have places to trade second hand books for free.
jimnotgym|1 year ago