EIBF co-President Fabian Paagman participates at the first ever European Book Conference in Brussels

The EIBF co-President Fabian Paagman joined a panel discussion during the first ever European Book Conference on bookshops and technological giants that dominate the online book market. The event took place in Brussels on 4 March, and was organised by the Brussels Book Fair and Livres Hebdo (French book trade magazine). It brought together various stakeholders from the book industry, including policymakers, booksellers, publishing executives, authors, literary agents, and other professionals in the field. 

Fabian was joined by Philippe Goffe, founder of Graffiti bookshop and president of the Association Internationale des Libraires Francophones, and Delphine Bouetard and Anne-Sophie Vial, co-founders of Ici Librairie. The panel focused on highlighting the keys to put bookshops forward in the customer journey, exploring how to introduce more services and provide a great customer experience, and discussing the growth engines of successful European bookstores. 

Speaking about the rise of technology in the book industry, Fabian highlighted that we should try to avoid seeing tech as the problem by itself. The role technological giants, such as Amazon, Google, or Facebook, play is definitely problematic, however, that is not a problem of technology – it is a political and legislative issue. It is crucial we enable a level playing field for all actors in the bookselling industry, and that can only be done by working together with policymakers to ensure equal treatment across the board. 

In his speech, Fabian stressed that booksellers, and likewise other actors in the bookselling industry, shouldn’t view technology as a threat. Instead, technology can provide an opportunity for development, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses worldwide. Never before has technology been so accessible, and booksellers shouldn’t be vary of using it. 

Fabian shared his views as a bookseller: “Ten, or even five, years ago many of us would say that technology was a threat to the bookselling business. Today, as a bookseller, I look very differently on that. I think it’s a great opportunity. Technological developments have never been so accessible, especially for small- and medium-sized companies. There is a bigger chance than ever before to participate in the technological developments that are surrounding us, and, that are at the same time driving strong change, including consumer behaviour.” 

However, it is important to acknowledge that the book trade is a busy market, where not all actors face same challenges. Good example is taxation, where tech giants are in significantly better position. In addition, due to their sizes, they can more easily leverage other opportunities, that for small- and medium-sized businesses often remain out of reach. It is therefore crucial we enable a level playing field for all actors in the book trade, with equal opportunities, otherwise there is a real danger we will only be able to buy books online in the future, as French writer Bertrand Puard said at the event. 

However, supporting equal rights for all actors in the book trade is less about technology, and more about politics. Fabian said: “I recently attended a great antitrust symposium, where it was clearly explained that the strong position Amazon, for example, has in our industry is not so much a problem of technological development, but is more a problem of regulation and law-making.” 

This presents a critical challenge, but also an opportunity, to work with policymakers on clearly defining the regulatory framework to ensure all actors in the book trade have access to equal opportunities.  

Discover our coverage of the day on our Twitter channel, and find out more about the event.  

Recent health emergency has prompted policymakers around the world to provide recommendations on how to best protect ourselves from the COVID-19 pandemic – maintaining strict hygiene, limiting unnecessary travel and time spent outside, as well as banning public gatherings. As more and more countries impose movement restrictions, businesses that rely on physical presence of customers are left in precarious position. Book industry as whole is dealing with a substantial impact: cancelled trade fairs, seized supply chains, and frozen rights sales. For booksellers in particular the current situation is already resulting in a slowdown in sales: a Chinese bookstore chain reported an 80% dip in sales, book sales in Italy are down by 25%, UK’s W. H. Smith issued £40 million profit warning due to travel restrictions, while Belgium’s largest bookshop Filigranes is projecting a 33% decrease in turnover per week. Spanish book industry is projecting a loss of nine billion euros for the first six months of 2020. 

As countries around the world introduce measures to try and contain the spread of Coronavirus, many independent bookshops are announcing closures of part, or even whole, businesses. However, to ensure they can survive this large and unexpected shift in their business model, booksellers are encouraging their customers to buy books online – with substantial impact. Many booksellers are coming up with innovative measures to support local communities during times of social distancing, self-isolation, or even full lockdowns. 

In recent weeks, we heard about bookstores pairing with a food delivery app to help get books into the hands of readers in China, UK bookstores are hand delivering books to customers in self-isolation by skateboards and bicycles, while Sweden and Belgium are also seeing a spike in online orders, which are being hand delivered.

The book industry is not idle in these trying times. Events are moving online – a great example is a recent book launch, via Instagram Live, hosted by author Javier Castillo and journalist Maria Gomez in Spain. Book clubs are moving online, providing an opportunity for people to safely engage with others and discuss books they have been reading while staying at home. Booksellers are exploring options how to digitise activities they would have otherwise organised in their stores - some are providing book recommendations through live broadcasts, others are hosting reading hours for children staying at home.

Get involved: Digital reading initiatives 

Reading has positive impact on both physical and mental health, and many countries are launching digital campaigns to encourage their citizens, especially those with young children, to pick up reading while staying at home. Reading helps strengthen our brains, increases our ability to emphatise, helps us to improve our vocabulary, and helps in preventing age-related cognitive decline. In addition, reading can help reduce stress levels, alleviate depression symptoms, and prepare us for a good night’s rest.  

Below you can find various initiatives launched recently, from supporting local booksellers to reading competitions: 

          •     Austria: 'support your bookshop online' campaign, providing a list of local bookstores with online stores

          •     Australia: list of local bookstores with activities and services they are still offering

          •     Belgium: collection of online reading platforms 

          •     Italy: Italians are using many hashtags on social networks through which the whole book sector shares its book recommendations, while readers are invited to share their current read: #libriaperti, #ioleggoacasa, #iostoacasa, #conunlibro, #librichecisalvano

          •     Germany: Börsenverein is promoting its interactive overview of local bookstores, which includes information about online stores. A lot of publishing houses are helping to raise awareness among its readers to buy books in local bookstores: #findyourbookstore, #buchsolidarität. Börsenverein is also promoting #stayathomereadabook

          •     Netherlands: 'I read at home campaign' by the Dutch CPNB Foundation 

          •     Norway: 'whole Norway is reading'

          •     Spain: #Buidemlesllibreries (‘Let’s empty the bookshops’ in Catalan)

          •     Sweden: #hemmamedenbok 

          •     UK and Ireland: #ChooseBookshops

Resources for booksellers

This health emergency has substantially shifted our way of living and many effects are already being felt by communities and businesses alike. EIBF members are at the forefront supporting the independent bookstores in their countries and regions to ensure they can overcome the current situation. 

Below you can find information on ongoing initiatives from our members. Please note that this database is being updated as more information becomes available: 

          •     The Bookseller Association of the UK and Ireland launched a webpage with dedicated resources, including business support helpline 

          •     The American Booksellers Association’s Coronavirus resources are available here 

          •     Syndicat de la Librairie Française is publishing daily updates and measures to support businesses  

          •     Swedish Booksellers Association is providing advice to Swedish booksellers here

          •     Börsenverein, the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, has pulled together important links and information on Coronavirus  

          •     Union of Czech Booksellers and Publishers is mapping the impact of Coronavirus pandemic on the book sector in country. They are sharing potential ideas to soften the negative consequences of lockdown here. 

          •     The Danish Booksellers Association is sharing latest news and retail restrictions on Coronavirus here

          •     The Bookseller Association of the Netherlands is collating useful information for booksellers regarding Coronavirus

          •     The Swiss Association of Booksellers and Publishers shares updated information for booksellers here 

          •     Australian Booksellers Association is collating information for booksellers on COVID-19 here 

          •     The Association of New Zealand Booksellers is providing Coronavirus information for booksellers here

Support to small- and medium-sized enterprises

The COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak is having a severe economic impact on many businesses across Europe and the world, including the bookselling industry. On 19 March, European Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager presented the State Aid Temporary Framework, a plan devised to ensure the continuity of economic activity in the EU and for member states to provide financial assistance to businesses of all types during and after the Coronavirus pandemic. This temporary framework enables countries to make use of the ‘full flexibility’ foreseen under pre-existing EU State aid rules and to complement them with the following measures. The State Aid Temporary Framework is to remain in place until the end of December 2020.

We are collating resources around what measures governments across the EU have launched to help small- and medium-sized companies during the COVID-19, Coronavirus outbreak. Find out how your business can claim financial support during the outbreak, and what rental agreement measures have been announced to help SMEs (both articles are available to EIBF members only). 

We are thinking of everyone struggling in these uncertain times. We hope you are keeping safe and reading a book!

Joint statement from the European Writers’ Council, the Federation of European Publishers, the European and International Booksellers Federation, and the European Council of Literary Translators' Associations

The European book sector, represented by the European Writers’ Council, the Federation of European Publishers, the European and International Booksellers Federation and the European Council of Literary Translators' Associations, has learnt with consternation of the proposed savings on culture from the Flemish Minister for Culture. Besides a linear cancellation of 6 %, especially the reduction of 60% on the project grants deprives beginning and advanced artists who want to build their narrative about Flanders, Europe and the world. The social benefits and individual emancipation effects of reading need an active reading promotion program with the support of all the actors in the book sector.  

Together with our Flemish colleagues and members, EWC, FEP, EIBF and CEATL have been supporting a rich and diverse literary landscape with a wide and inclusive range. The cooperation with the entire cultural sector is paramount, to look beyond policy areas and boundaries and to the support of the artists, in particular the writers, so that they can build their oeuvre and have a decent life.

These reductions affect also the authors who often have incomes deriving from many sources. Literary events’ organisers have been reporting for years the lack of indexing of allowances, with a direct negative impact on income and opportunities for contact with readers. 

The non-indexing – loss of 3 % - and the striking-out of 6 % of the budget of Literatuur Vlaanderen seems to be compensated by extra money. In fact, it is destined  for new missions that serve more the ideological and promotional objectives of the government than the real necessities of the partners in literature for whom the 3 % + 6 % deliveries damage the dynamical development of the literature and Flemish authors, translators and illustrators.        
In order to be able to support the existing growth opportunities and necessary dynamics, an adequate financing of the entire cultural and arts sector is essential. We call on the Flemish government to positively address the issue and properly fund culture for its vital role in society.

Signed by: 

European Writers’ Council President Nina George
Federation of European Publishers President Rudy Vanschoonbeek 
European and International Booksellers’ Federation co-Presidents Fabian Paagman and Jean Luc Treutenaere 
European Council of Literary Translators' Associations President Morten Visby  
 

The European and International Booksellers Federation issues a following statement:

As COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the world, many countries are imposing drastic measures to try and contain it. In countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Belgium, all stores considered as non-essential, bookstores among them, have been required to close. This prescribed closure of bookstores is a threat to financial sustainability of many businesses in the bookselling industry. 
 
Health and safety of all people and communities is top priority for all, but we need to recognise the impact prolonged closure will have on small- and medium-sized businesses that rely on physical presence of customers. Booksellers offer an important contribution to communities and society as a whole from educational, cultural, and financial point of view. 
 
Many booksellers are going above and beyond to sustain their services to customers – who are currently self-isolating at their homes – but they face numerous challenges. Many bookstores that our members represent have limited, or no, infrastructure to support online sales in these unprecedented times. In addition, while offering home deliveries, they are exposing themselves to higher risks. 
 
Closure of brick and mortar bookstores compromises their profitability and puts under question their, already fragile, economic situation. Local bookstores greatly contribute to communities and districts, offering needed services, providing job opportunities, and contributing safe meeting spaces that online retailers can’t provide. Ensuring these businesses can overcome these uncertain times is critical to continuous sustainable development of local communities.  
 
All booksellers are anxiously waiting to reopen their stores, but they are not willing to compromise their health or the health of their customers and communities they enrich. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to giant online retailers, whose businesses are operating with minimal adjustments. 
 
We are appealing to governments worldwide to remember the importance of books in our society, and the positive impact bookstores have on local communities, and provide support and financial aid to protect the bookselling industry. 
 
It is critical we stand together in these uncertain times, as only by supporting each other we will come out stronger in the end. 

Ahead of the World Book Day on 23 April, we are spotlighting national reading initiatives – from long standing ones to recent ones launched during the Coronavirus outbreak – follow #EIBFreads

On 23 April we are celebrating the World Book Day – an initiative promoting enjoyment of books and reading. Organised by UNESCO since 1995, the World Book and Copyright Day “encourages everyone, but especially young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contribution of those, who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity”. 

Read our joint press release on this World Book Day -  authors, publishers, and booksellers call for international support

The marking of this day will be even more important this year, when most schools around the world are closed, many booksellers have closed their doors, and people are being asked to stay inside as much as possible to help contain the spread of COVID-19, Coronavirus pandemic. In these bleak times, we can channel the power of books to combat isolation, forge connections between people, and expand our horizons, while stimulating our minds and creativity.

Reading has a positive impact on both physical and mental health by strengthening our brains, increasing our ability to empathise, help us improve our vocabulary, and helps in preventing age-related cognitive decline. In addition, reading can help reduce stress levels, alleviate depression symptoms, and prepare us for a good night’s rest.  

Since the spread of Coronavirus, and the launch of containment measures, many countries have been promoting various reading initiatives to engage with their citizens – from reading competitions between students in schools and/or families to general calls to all to stay at home and read. 

At EIBF, we recognise the importance of books and reading in people’s lives. Books, and bookshops, are one of the cornerstones of our civilization. Booksellers enrich the communities they are part of, offering cultural, economic, and educational contribution to society. This is why we are spotlighting various national reading initiatives ahead of this year’s World Book Day. 

Join us in sharing the love of books and reading, and help us feature reading initiatives from every corner of the world. We encourage you to share this message with others through #WorldBookDay, #EIBFreads, and dedicated # of national initiatives:

     -    Bulgarian: #ЧететеКниги 

     -    Dutch: #ikleesthuis, #ikverspreidhetleesvirus 

     -    English: #ChooseBookshops, #StayHomeAndRead, #ReadAloudCanadian, #AustraliaReadsAtHome

     -    Finnish: #kirjankanssakotona

     -    French: #JeResteChezMoiEtLire 

     -    German: #findyourbookstore, #buchsolidarität, #StayAtHomeReadABook, #bücherhamstern, #buchmoment

     -    Italian: #ioleggoperché #leggiamounastoria, #ioleggoacasa, #conunlibro

     -    Latvian: #lasamgramatasmajas 

     -    Lithuanian: #skaitaupalaikau #liknamiesuknyga

     -    Norwegian: #helenorgeleser 

     -    Polish: #TerazCzasNaCzytanie

     -    Portuguese: #leyaemcasa, #lerdoceler

     -    Romanian: #citimacasa

     -    Spanish: #YoMeQuedoEnCasaLeyendo, #YoLeoEnCasa

     -    Swedish: #HemmaMedEnBok

     -    Turkish: #evdeyimokuyorum

     -    global: #behindeverybook 

Throughout April, we will be spotlighting this page and sharing reading initiatives on EIBF social media channels on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us there, and keep an eye on #EIBFreads, to stay up to date with our campaign. We will also collate all produced material here. 

Social media material 

Here you can find all material we have used on our social channels since the launch of #EIBFreads campaign:

Cover photo: InstagramFOTOGRAFIN/Pixabay  

 

We, the undersigned representatives of the global book industry urge governments all over the world to recognize, support and celebrate the importance of books, learning solutions, and professional and scholarly content by adopting economic stimulus packages to sustain their respective publishing sectors and the value chains that surround them.

Today, on 2020 World Book Day, we acknowledge the vital role that books play in society. Through books we learn, we meet other cultures, we dream. We understand each other. Through books we learn how to empathize. Books are necessary for scientific research, to educate our children and in lifelong learning. Books help us become better human beings. 

Books need authors to write and illustrate them, publishers to invest in them, booksellers to get them to readers, and collective management organizations to protect their copyright. This chain, so vital to society, is under imminent threat. 

In this time of social distancing, the importance of books has been re-emphasized. Staying at home and reading a book is a way of caring for others. Newspapers and blogs around the world have put together lists of books to read while you are in isolation, whether that be to escape or to understand what is happening. Books are what people turn to in difficult times. 

Parents in many countries have had to become educators. Teachers have needed to find new ways of bringing their lessons to pupils. Authors and publishers around the world have responded by licensing their content and digital services. Online book readings like ‘Read The World’ have exploded online, with publishers and authors quick to give parents support. The world is relying on research published in specialist journals to guide its health policies and develop a vaccine. Journal publishers’ investments in the verification of research and its wide communication are crucial here. And they have stepped up, voluntarily making research related to COVID-19 freely available and amenable to reuse.

Whether we are talking about books for a general audience, children’s books, educational resources, or scientific research, authors, publishers, distributors, booksellers and collective management organisations have reacted quickly to adapt where necessary and play a responsible role in society. 

The COVID-19 virus is having a disastrous effect on people everywhere. Economies are shutting down and nobody knows for sure when we’ll return to normal, or even if that’s possible. The impact on the world’s creative industries, including the book sector, has been devastating. 

In many countries, our industry is already struggling for oxygen. We must find ways to ensure the future for authors, publishers, editors, designers, distributors, booksellers and those who work in collective management, so that the book industry can bounce back once this pandemic is conquered.

A world without new books would be a sad and impoverished place. We are working hard to come through this crisis, but we need help to survive. We need governments to help us get through it together.  

Signed by: 

    -    Jean-Luc Treutenaere, Co-President, EIBF    

    -    John Degen, Chair, IAF    

    -    Yngve Slettholm, President, IFRRO    

    -    Hugo Setzer, President, IPA    

    -    Ian Moss, CEO, STM

Booksellers and publishers call for support ahead of the video conference of culture ministers from 27 EU member states

The cultural and creative sectors have already suffered from a negative economic impact as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. They are facing unprecedented challenges now and in the long term, particularly in the light of a possible second wave of the pandemic.

The EU ministers for culture are meeting to review measures implemented to support the culture and creative sectors, and discuss further action in support of the industry. Ahead of the meeting, the European and International Booksellers Federation, together with the Federation of European Publishers, is sharing possible measures to help the book sector recover.  

We are proposing two measures that could immediately bring relief to the actors in the book industry, thus helping them to deal with the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis: 

     •    Book vouchers
Book voucher scheme is designed for citizens to buy books (print, digital, and audio) from their local bookshops. Such a voucher will be an incentive for citizens to have access to more books and will create positive market conditions for the sector – authors, booksellers, publishers, and translators. 

     •    Public purchase of books 
This scheme looks at massive purchase of books (in all formats) on behalf of public institutions (libraries, schools, etc.). Such a scheme will revitalise the entire book value chain while replenishing and updating the collections of libraries, schools and other institutions, and ultimately increase citizens’ access to books.

Find out more about these two proposals in the attachments.