FR EIBF Manifesto 2024-2029

Manifeste de l’EIBF

UN APPEL À L’ACTION

Protégeons la liberté d’expression, assurons un futur durable

Introduction

Le secteur du livre évolue, il s’adapte pour rester en phase avec un monde qui change rapidement. Post-covid, les librairies ont fait preuve de résilience et su montrer toute leur pertinence ; leurs clients leur ont prouvé leur loyauté. Beaucoup de librairies ont déjà investi dans les technologies numériques et dans l’économie verte, elles sont enthousiastes à l’idée de faire partie d’un futur plus durable.

Malgré tout, elles font face à de nombreux défis. L’impact environnemental du livre est devenu sujet à débat, comme il est pour d’autres biens de consommation tels que l’alimentation ou la mode. Nous vivons également une montée des extrêmes et de la censure, véritable menace pour la liberté d’expression. Par ailleurs, nous constatons une baisse de la lecture et une crise des vocations dans les métiers du livre.

Les livres sont partie intégrante de nos sociétés et communautés à tous les niveaux, de l’éducation aux perspectives d’emploi jusqu’à la vie politique. Nous sommes convaincu.e.s que les librairies doivent être des refuges sûrs et inclusifs. Elles sont un maillon essentiel des politiques de diversité par les nombreuses voix qu’elles offrent aux lectrices et aux lecteurs à travers leur assortiment. Les librairies font intrinsèquement partie de la vie locale en proposant une alternative aux GAFAM.

C’est pour cela que la Fédération européenne et internationale des libraires (EIBF) cherche à s’impliquer auprès des les législateurs et les responsables politiques pour assurer l’accès de tou.te.s aux livres et que personne n’est laissé pour compte par les changements du monde qui nous entoure.

DÉFENDRE CE QUI COMPTE

Défendre la liberté d'expression

À travers l’Histoire, en temps d’oppression ou de turbulences politiques, l’accès aux livres a souvent été restreint, certains livres bannis, tandis que les auteur.ice.s, éditeur.ice.s et libraires ont été ciblés, censurés, muselés et même vandalisés. La montée d’idéologies extrémistes en Europe et dans le monde s’accompagne d’ores et déjà de la censure croissante de livres.

L’EIBF et sa communauté de librairies prônent la liberté d’expression comme un droit humain fondamental et pilier d’une démocratie saine. Nous savons que la lecture n’est pas seulement un loisir – c’est un moyen de promotion du savoir, un moyen de faire avancer de nouvelles idées et d’encourager la pensée critique. La liberté d’expression est essentielle. A l’EIBF, nous avons pris l’engagement de sensibiliser et d’informer l’opinion à ce sujet. Les libraires, qui jouent un rôle fondamental dans la préservation de la liberté d’expression – tout comme les auteur.ice.s, les éditeur.ice.s et les bibliothécaires, ne doivent pas faire face à des représailles pour leur défense de ce qui compte.

NOTRE APPEL À L'ACTION
Soutenir la liberté d’expression, de publication et de diffusion d’idées, de livres et de contenus culturels, tout en agissant fermement contre toutes les formes de censure.

Défendre l'alphabétisation

La lecture amène de nombreux bénéfices – non seulement aux lecteur.ice.s eux-mêmes mais à la société tout entière. Les livres fournissent la connaissance et l’éducation, bien sûr, mais ils instillent également l’empathie et la compréhension des autres. Une population de lecteur.ice.s joue un rôle plus actif dans la société.

Cependant, au niveau mondial – en incluant l’Europe – les compétences de lecture sont en déclin, tout comme l’alphabétisation. Il est bien connu que de bas niveaux d’alphabétisation entraînent de mauvais résultats scolaires pour les enfants. Mais ils rendent également la participation à la société plus vulnérable. Il est donc essentiel que nous travaillions ensemble pour renverser cette tendance.

Les librairies et les bibliothèques visent le même but d’alphabétisation, de promotion de la lecture et d’accès aux livres. Elles travaillent ensemble depuis longtemps pour faire lire le public, car promouvoir une population qui lit permet de promouvoir également une communauté lettrée, active et compréhensive.

NOTRE APPEL À L'ACTION
Soutenir les initiatives de promotion de la lecture pour encourager une participation bien informée et démocratique dans la société.

ACUEILLIR L’INNOVATION

Adopter les technologies numériques

La numérisation s’est répandue dans tous les aspects de la vie quotidienne. Et ce n'est pas une mauvaise chose. Le numérique et le physique ne s'excluent pas l'un l'autre, mais sont tout aussi nécessaires et tout à fait complémentaires. La Covid a servi de moteur à de nombreux commerçants, y compris des librairies, pour investir dans l’e-commerce, les réseaux sociaux, les événements hybrides et bien d'autres choses encore. De nombreux libraires ont déjà reconnu qu'un équilibre entre commerce physique et en ligne est un modèle gagnant.

Cependant, la technologie évolue à un rythme de plus en plus rapide : l'essor récent de l'intelligence artificielle, les influenceurs sur TikTok ou la plateforme Wattpad n'en sont que quelques exemples. Les libraires sont impatients d'entrer dans l'ère numérique, mais ils ont besoin des bons outils, afin qu'aucun d’entre eux ne soit laissé pour compte.

Ils ont également besoin de conditions équitables pour garantir une concurrence loyale : les règles existantes doivent être appliquées, tandis que les nouvelles réglementations doivent être justes et équilibrées tout en protégeant les intérêts des PME. Par ailleurs, la data est devenue une denrée très prisée : la possession, l'accès et la lecture de cette data sont essentiels pour mieux répondre aux demandes des lecteurs et, une fois encore, pour opérer sur un pied d'égalité.

NOTRE APPEL À L'ACTION
Une législation numérique progressiste, innovante et équilibrée, ayant à cœur la protection des PME.

Adopter l'économie verte

L'attention portée à la durabilité en général a progressé à pas de géant au cours des dernières années. Tout le monde a un rôle à jouer dans ce domaine, y compris le secteur du livre. De nombreux libraires ont déjà entamé leur propre transition vers l'économie verte. Mais certains ne savent pas par où commencer.

La chaîne du livre est un écosystème interconnecté - de l'édition à l'impression, à la distribution et à la vente. Chaque maillon de cette chaîne doit collaborer à l'objectif commun de rendre l'ensemble du processus plus durable. Les libraires ont donc besoin d'aide et de conseils pour atteindre les objectifs environnementaux, passer à l'énergie verte et réduire l'empreinte de leur activité.

NOTRE APPEL À L'ACTION
Des politiques et des initiatives vertes qui responsabilisent et soutiennent les libraires tout au long de leur transition environnementale.

PRÉSERVER LA PERENNITÉ

Préserver la liberté des PME

Les librairies sont soumises à des pressions de toutes parts. Si nous accueillons favorablement les législations utiles au secteur du livre, toute loi supplémentaire susceptible d'imposer des contraintes supplémentaires aux libraires dans les années à venir doit être mûrement réfléchie afin d'éviter un effet préjudiciable sur un secteur déjà fragile. Les réglementations qui ont un impact sur la liberté contractuelle, les choix d'investissement, les opérations ou les capacités financières des librairies ne doivent pas être adoptées à la hâte. Si les réglementations ne sont pas étudiées en profondeur, elles risquent d'entraîner la fermeture de nombreuses librairies en imposant encore plus de contraintes au secteur.

Toute charge administrative supplémentaire pour les PME finira toujours par permettre aux grands détaillants en ligne de monopoliser le secteur et d'éliminer la concurrence loyale. Nous savons que de nombreuses librairies sont de petites entreprises locales qui ont besoin d'évoluer et d'investir pour répondre à la demande sur un marché qui évolue rapidement. Nous pensons que les détaillants locaux doivent être libres de faire leurs propres choix quant à la mise à disposition de leurs produits et services.

NOTRE APPEL À L'ACTION
Soutenir la liberté des libraires de prendre leurs propres décisions en connaissance de cause, afin de garantir la pérennité de leurs commerces pour les lecteurs, pour aujourd'hui et pour demain.

Préserver la librairie en tant que carrière

La récente crise du coût de la vie et la flambée de l'inflation ont été ressenties par tous les commerces de centre-ville, y compris les librairies. Nombre d'entre eux signalent qu'ils ont du mal à payer un salaire décent à leur personnel, et que des employés qualifiés partent à la recherche de carrières plus lucratives. Les charges fixes ont considérablement augmenté, tandis que les gens achètent moins de livres en raison de la hausse des prix. En bref, la librairie est une activité difficile.

Nous voulons assurer la pérennité de la librairie en tant que carrière attrayante et à long terme pour la prochaine génération. Les libraires ont besoin de politiques culturelles fortes qui promeuvent les livres, la lecture et l'alphabétisation. Nous préconisons donc une formation spécifique pour les libraires, ainsi que des initiatives qui soutiennent l'éducation, l'accès aux livres et les événements liés à la lecture. Nous recherchons également des politiques de soutien à l'achat local de livres - par exemple, des marchés publics permettant aux écoles et aux bibliothèques d'acheter leurs livres dans des librairies locales. En bref, nous avons besoin que davantage de lecteurs achètent des livres pour que les librairies réalisent des marges plus importantes et soient en mesure de verser de meilleurs salaires.

NOTRE APPEL À L'ACTION
Des politiques et des initiatives qui reconnaissent, soutiennent et investissent à la fois dans les commerces de proximité et dans une nouvelle génération de libraires et de lecteurs.

Conclusion

Les librairies sont des commerces locaux essentiels. Contrairement aux géants de la technologie avec lesquels elles sont en concurrence, les librairies font partie intégrante de nos centres-villes : elles investissent dans leurs employés et leurs communautés locales, et fournissent un service vital à la société. Les librairies constituent un pôle culturel et un espace sécurisé, offrant un point de rencontre à la population locale et encourageant la diversité et l'inclusion dans les quartiers.

Sans recevoir de subventions publiques, les librairies promeuvent la lecture, l'alphabétisation et l'éducation, participant ainsi quotidiennement à la création d'une société de la connaissance. Les librairies représentent bien plus que la simple vente de livres : elles font partie intégrante du monde en mutation dans lequel nous vivons. Et elles continueront à y contribuer tant qu'elles recevront le soutien dont elles ont besoin.

TÉLÉCHARGER LE MANIFESTE

PT EIBF Manifesto 2024-2029

Manifesto EIBF

CHAMADA À AÇÃO

Proteger a liberdade de expressão, promover um futuro sustentável

Introduçao

O setor livreiro está a evoluir – a adaptar-se para acompanhar um mundo em constante e rápida mudança. Nesta época pós-covid, as livrarias têm provado a sua resiliência e relevância, e os seus clientes têm demonstrado a sua lealdade. Muitas livrarias já investiram em tecnologias digitais e na economia verde, e têm vontade de formar parte de um futuro sustentável.

No entanto, continuam a enfrentar alguns desafios. O impacto ambiental dos livros tem-se tornado um tema de debate, da mesma forma que tem acontecido com outros bens, como a alimentação e a moda. Vivemos também uma expansão de políticas radicais e de censura, que ameaçam a liberdade de expressão. Ao mesmo tempo, há um declínio nas taxas de literacia e cada vez menos jovens escolhem seguir carreiras no setor livreiro.

Os livros afetam as nossas sociedades e comunidades a todos os níveis, desde a educação, às oportunidades de emprego, e à política. Acreditamos que as livrarias deveriam ser um pequeno paraíso seguro e inclusivo para todos e todas. São essenciais para a fomentação da diversidade através das vozes que se fazem ouvir nos livros nas suas prateleiras. As livrarias são parte integrante da vida local ao oferecerem uma alternativa importante aos gigantes tecnológicos.

É por isso que a Federação Europeia e Internacional de Livreiros (EIBF) visa conectar com os decisores e reguladores para assegurar que todas as pessoas tenham acesso a livros e que ninguém fique para trás devido às mudanças que vão acontecendo no mundo à nossa volta.

DEFENDER O QUE IMPORTA

Defender a liberdade de expressão

Não é nenhuma coincidência que, ao longo da História, durante os períodos de opressão e de turbulência política, os livros têm sido proibidos ou condicionados, enquanto os autores, os editores e as livrarias se tornaram alvos, estando sujeitos à censura, ao silenciamento e até, em alguns casos, à vandalização. Com ideologias extremas a proliferarem pela Europa toda, e até pelo mundo fora, vemos um crescimento correlacionado na censura dos livros.

A EIBF e a nossa comunidade de livreiros acreditam que a liberdade de expressão é um direito fundamental humano, e uma pedra angular de uma democracia saudável. Sabemos que ler livros não é apenas um prazer – também promove a troca de conhecimentos, gera novas ideias, e alimenta o pensamento crítico. É por isso que a liberdade de expressão é essencial. Na EIBF, comprometemo-nos com a sensibilização e divulgação de informação sobre este importante tema. Mas os livreiros também têm um papel fulcral na defesa dessa liberdade, e eles – tal como os editores, autores e bibliotecários – não devem sofrer retaliações por se erguerem em nome daquilo que importa.

A NOSSA CHAMADA À AÇÃO
Defender as liberdades necessárias para a expressão, edição e disseminação de ideias, livros e outros materiais culturais, enquanto agimos resolutamente contra todo o tipo de censura.

Defender a literacia

A leitura traz consigo uma panóplia de benefícios – não apenas para os leitores individualmente, mas também para a sociedade como um todo. Os livros fomentam conhecimento e educação, claro, mas também desenvolvem a empatia e a compreensão dos outros. Uma população letrada tem um papel mais ativo na sociedade.

Contudo, a nível mundial – inclusive na Europa – a capacidade para a leitura está a diminuir, com os níveis de literacia a cair. É bem sabido que baixos níveis de alfabetização predizem uma mais frágil participação na sociedade. É por isso essencial que trabalhemos juntos para inverter esta tendência.

As livrarias e as bibliotecas esforçam-se em prol das mesmas metas: da literacia, da promoção de leitura, e do acesso aos livros. Têm uma longa história de colaboração conjunta para fazer com que as pessoas comecem a ler. Porque apoiar uma população letrada também implica apoiar uma comunidade instruída, ativa e compreensiva.

A NOSSA CHAMADA À AÇÃO
Apoiar iniciativas que promovam a leitura, para assegurar uma participação informada e democrática na sociedade.

ABRAÇAR A INOVAÇÃO

Abraçar as tecnologias digitais

A digitalização tem vindo a permear cada aspecto da vida quotidiana. E isso não é mau. O digital e o físico não se excluem mutuamente, antes são ambos igualmente necessários e totalmente complementares. O Covid serviu de catalisador para muitas lojas físicas - entre elas as livrarias - investirem em tecnologias de e-commerce, redes sociais, eventos híbridos e mais. Muitos livreiros já reconheceram que o modelo de negócio ideal contém um equilíbrio entre online e offline.

Contudo, a tecnologia está a evoluir a um ritmo cada vez mais acelerado: o desenvolvimento recente da inteligência artificial, os TikTok influencers, e a plataforma de storytelling, Wattpad, são apenas alguns exemplos. Os livreiros querem acompanhar os avanços digitais, mas para isso ser possível, precisam de ter as ferramentas certas, de maneira que ninguém fique para trás.

Necessitam também de condições de igualdade, para assegurar que a concorrência seja leal: as normas já existentes devem ser aplicadas e as novas normas devem ser justas e equilibradas, protegendo os interesses das pequenas empresas. Entretanto, os dados têm-se tornado uma mercadoria de grande interesse: a posse, o acesso e a leitura de dados são fundamentais para melhor se conseguir ir ao encontro das necessidades dos leitores e, mais uma vez, agir num contexto equitativo.

A NOSSA CHAMADA À AÇÃO
Legislação progressista, inovadora e equilibrada, orientada para a proteção das PME.

Abraçar a economia verde

De forma geral, o foco na sustentabilidade tem avançado significativamente ao longo dos últimos anos. Todos têm um papel a desempenhar nisto – o setor do livro inclusive. Muitos livreiros já deram início à sua própria transição para a economia verde. Mas a alguns falta o know-how para saberem por onde começar.

A cadeia de valor literária é um ecossistema interconexo – desde a edição até à impressão, distribuição e venda. E cada elo nessa cadeia tem que trabalhar para o objetivo comum de tornar todo o processo mais sustentável. Os livreiros precisam, portanto, de apoio e orientação no que diz respeito ao cumprimento de objetivos ambientais, à transição para energia sustentável e à redução da pegada do seu negócio.

A NOSSA CHAMADA À AÇÃO
Políticas de sustentabilidade e iniciativas que empoderem e apoiem livreiros na sua transição ambiental.

MANTER A VIABILIDADE
A LONGO PRAZO

Manter a liberdade dos pequenos negócios

As livrarias estão sob pressão de todos os lados. Enquanto saudamos toda a legislação que ajude o setor do livro, quaisquer leis que possam vir a impor mais regras aos livreiros deveriam ser bem pensadas para evitar um efeito prejudicial para um já frágil setor. Normas que impactem na liberdade contratual, nas opções de investimento, nas operações ou na capacidade financeira das livrarias não deveriam ser elaboradas à pressa. Se as normas não forem bem pensadas, ao imporem cada vez mais limitações ao setor, arriscam levar muitas livrarias à falência.

A exigência de qualquer papelada ou carga administrativa adicional às PME acabará sempre por facilitar a monopolização do setor por parte das grandes retalhistas online, afastando a concorrência leal. Sabemos que muitas livrarias são pequenas empresas locais que precisam de evoluir e investir para poderem satisfazer a procura num mercado em constante transformação. E acreditamos que os retalhistas locais deveriam ter a liberdade para fazerem as suas próprias escolhas sobre se, e quando, querem disponibilizar os seus produtos e serviços.

A NOSSA CHAMADA À AÇÃO
Sustentar a liberdade dos livreiros para tomarem as suas próprias decisões informadas, para assegurar a viabilidade dos seus negócios para os leitores – tanto agora como no futuro.

Manter a carreira de livreiro

Os recentes aumentos do custo de vida e a inflação têm tido impacto em todo o tipo de negócios, incluindo as livrarias. Muitos livreiros relatam que têm dificuldade em pagar salários decentes, e que os seus melhores funcionários se despedem para irem à procura de oportunidades profissionais mais lucrativas. Os custos fixos têm subido brutalmente e as pessoas estão a comprar cada vez menos livros por causa do aumento geral dos preços. Em suma, o setor livreiro não é um negócio fácil.

Queremos assegurar a viabilidade do setor livreiro como um caminho profissional atraente e duradouro para a próxima geração. Os livreiros precisam de fortes políticas culturais que promovam os livros, a leitura e a literacia. É por isso que procuramos formação dedicada para livreiros, e iniciativas que apoiem a educação, o acesso aos livros e os eventos de leitura. Também procuramos políticas que apoiem a compra local de livros – como, por exemplo, a contratação pública que permita às escolas e às bibliotecas comprarem os seus livros através de livrarias locais. Em resumo, precisamos que mais leitores vão comprar livros, para que as livrarias possam ganhar mais receitas, e assim possam pagar melhores salários.

A NOSSA CHAMADA À AÇÃO
Políticas e iniciativas que reconheçam, apoiem e invistam tanto nas livrarias físicas como numa nova geração de livreiros e leitores.

Conclusão

As livrarias são negócios locais essenciais. Ao contrário das grandes empresas tecnológicas que são a sua concorrência, as livrarias são intrínsecas aos centros das nossas cidades: investem nos seus funcionários e na comunidade à sua volta, e fornecem um serviço vital à sociedade. As livrarias servem de núcleo cultural e oferecem um espaço acolhedor onde as pessoas se podem encontrar, estimulando a diversidade e inclusão nos bairros nos quais se situam.

Sem receberem quaisquer apoios governamentais, as livrarias promovem a leitura, a literacia e a educação – participam diariamente na criação de uma sociedade de conhecimento. As livrarias representam muito mais do que a mera venda de livros: são integrais à transformação do mundo em que vivemos. E, recebendo o apoio necessário, continuarão a contribuir para esse mesmo mundo.

DESCARREGAR O MANIFESTO

EIBF attends the 7th Rencontres nationales de la librairie in Strasbourg

This 16th to 17th June, we gathered together with 1,200 booksellers and book professionals in Strasbourg, France, for the French booksellers association, Syndicat de la librairie française (SLF) bi-annual conference, Les rencontres nationales de la librairie. As the 2024 World Book Capital, Strasbourg was an excellent host for this year's RNL edition.

Day 1

The conference kicked off with a presentation of SLF's Xerfi study on the economic situation of the bookselling sector in France. The study painted a difficult picture for the French book sector. Despite 142 new bookshops opening in 2023, low margins and a decrease in the volume of sales, together with an increase in costs due to the energy crisis pose huge challenges for the years to come.

We then enjoyed an eye-opening presentation on what reading does to your brain by Michel Desmurget, Phd in neuroscience. Desmurget shared with us the disconcerting, but perhaps not too surprising, fact that the average children’s book contains a more diverse language and uses a more diverse range of words than the speech that is usually used during regular TV broadcasts.

We ended the day with the French trade press Livres Hebdo’s Grand prix of bookselling award ceremony.

..and then finally the booksellers could show their moves on the dancefloor!

Day 2

The second day greeted some sleepy booksellers with feet tired from dancing with a thought-provoking presentation on AI & the future of bookselling. Researcher André Ourednik outlined the added value bookshops bring if they choose to opt-out of AI tools and emphasise the human aspect of their service - or to create their own data models if they choose to opt-in and make use of AI.

Later, Pauline Harris from Warwick Books, UK, one of the 9 booksellers we brought to the RNL through our RISE Bookselling programme, explained to an audience of French booksellers the realities of being an independent bookseller in the UK. The panel was also joined by Monica Cabello from the Spanish Booksellers Association, CEGAL, and moderated by Isabelle Lemarchand, president of the International Association of Francophone Booksellers (AILF).

In a panel on diversity and inclusion, another of our RISE booksellers, Rosa Azevedo, owner of Livraria Snob in Lisbon, Portugal shared her views on how bookshops can foster inclusivity by understanding and engaging with their communities.

We enjoyed 2 full days of inspiring and challenging presentations and panels on the economic state of the bookselling sector in France, declining reading skills amongst children, the role of AI in bookselling, freedom of expression and many more topics.

EIBF, and the 9 international booksellers we brought with us through our RISE Bookselling programme, left Strasbourg with heads full of ideas and warm hearts from all the bookish encounters. Thank you SLF for an inspiring couple of days and à la prochaine!

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EIBF is looking for a Communications Intern!

EIBF is seeking a responsible and dynamic Communications & Events Intern to support our staff in daily operations. This role involves a variety of tasks related to event planning, communication, and administrative support. As a small federation, we value hands-on interns who are capable of multitasking and taking initiative.

ABOUT EIBF

The European & International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is a non-commercial umbrella organisation representing national Booksellers Associations within the EU, the EEA and outside of Europe. Through its members, EIBF speaks on behalf of more than 25,000 individual booksellers. Depending on the country, booksellers represented include independent booksellers, national bookshop chains, supermarkets, internet retailers and other cultural or general outlets selling books.

THE ROLE

Tasks	Assist with the organization of key events such as the RISE Bookselling Conference, including logistics and coordination, help with speakers’ management, communication with suppliers, attendees’ management, and other relevant tasks. Support the planning and execution of other EIBF events, ensuring smooth operations and successful outcomes. Provide administrative support as needed, ensuring the smooth running of daily operations. Assist in implementing EIBF’s communications strategy, including drafting newsletters, creating social media assets and posts, assisting with social media campaigns, drafting press releases, and other relevant tasks.
Languages	Fluent English (native level), other European languages a plus.
Start date	Mid- to late September.
Duration	6 months, full-time. We work part-time from home, part-time from the office.
Education background	Bachelor's degree minimum.
Administrative requirements	The trainee must have the right to work in Belgium.
Payment	This is under a Belgian “convention de volontariat” with an “indemnité”.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send your motivation letter and CV by 28 June to info@europeanbooksellers.eu stating “EIBF Internship” in the subject line. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis as of 4 July.

Your personal details will be kept throughout the selection process and deleted thereafter.

EIBF at the Day of European Authors 2024

On 25-26 March 2024, EIBF attended the second annual Day of European Authors conference, held at the central art museum M Leuven in Leuven, Belgium.

The conference, organised by the European Commission, sought to foster interdisciplinary, cross-sectorial collaboration between the book and education sectors to address the widespread issue of worsening reading skills and habits among the youth. The event was a part of a wider web of Europe-wide events aimed at bolstering participation in the world of literature and reading, including the organisation of reading events in school, libraries, and bookshops all around Europe as well as a tour featuring 120 European authors who met with young readers in all 40 Creative Europe countries.

Indeed, the conference could not have chosen a more pressing issue, as the annual Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test, intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school pupils' scholastic performance on mathematics, science, and reading, has revealed a deeply worrying drop in reading skills among the youth. Even more worrying is the gap between male and female students, with reading skills of boys worsening in virtually every EU country bar Ireland and Spain, while the opposite was true for mathematics, in which boys on average outperformed girls. These issues were highlighted in the keynote speech by Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

Held over the course of two days, the event consisted in a series of presentations and panels followed by interactive workshops where various stakeholders in the field of culture had the opportunity to discuss important themes in the sector. The first day’s panels revolved around the themes of current challenges in the education sector, reading promotion initiatives across the entire book sector, and youth participation in reading. A panel of young readers shared their views on various reading initiatives in their respective countries.

On the second day, the EIBF team had the opportunity to participate in a workshop revolving around the topic of reading promotion through formal and non-formal education, where we represented the perspective of booksellers and bookshops. All participants agreed on the urgency of breaking barriers and silos between the respective Ministries of Culture and Education to encourage more dialogue between policymakers; the need for transnational exchange of best practices, knowledge and experience between peers of the same sectors (e.g. booksellers, authors, teachers); and the need for higher budgets and financial support across the entire cultural supply chain through sector-specific policies.

All in all, this was a deeply enriching opportunity for EIBF and we’re looking forward to new stimulating ideas and projects that will emerge from it. We cannot wait to be back next year!

Read more about EIBF at the Day of European Authors 2024

EIBF proudly presents its 2024-2029 Manifesto ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections

Following yesterday’s World Book Day, EIBF proudly unveils our new manifesto for the upcoming European legislative term of 2024-2029.

With the mission of representing our members’ interests and advocating for policies that benefit our sector, EIBF rallies in support of our beloved bookshops, underscoring their unique role in our democratic societies.

On the occasion of this announcement, EIBF Co-President Jean-Luc Treutenaere expressed: “Not only are bookshops local businesses that benefit the local economy, they are also cultural hubs and meeting points for people and ideas, simultaneously upholding the fundamental right to freedom of expression and fostering empathy and tolerance through books and stories.”

In a time of growing political polarisation and increased cultural censorship, our manifesto outlines six priority topics in that will steer our work for the booksellers we represent in the years to come:

Standing up for freedom of expression;
Standing up for literacy;
Embracing digital technologies;
Embracing the green economy;
Maintaining freedom for small businesses;
Maintaining bookselling as a viable and desirable career path;

The full content of the manifesto can be found on its own dedicated page, where you can also download it in PDF format.

Lastly, you can find EIBF's press release on the announcement attached to this page.

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EIBF hails book exclusion from Late Payment Regulation in European Parliament position

Today, during the last plenary session of the current mandate, the European Parliament adopted its position on the proposal for a Late Payment Regulation, a file of crucial importance for the European book sector.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)’s vote follows the European Commission’s proposal to combat late payment in commercial transactions which, among other changes, introduces a standard payment cap of 30 days between most Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions.

Today’s vote is a great success for the European book sector, as the European Parliament’s position fully recognises the book sector’s unique operational structure, as well as the slow-moving nature of books as cultural products, and supports by a large majority the exclusion of books from the scope of the regulation.

Over the past months, EIBF has worked tirelessly, together with partners in the publishing sector, to highlight the vital importance of flexible payment terms in the book value chain, in order to keep an optimal stock rotation throughout the year, while guaranteeing a healthy cash flow for bookshops and ensuring consumer needs are met. We are grateful to MEPs for their engagement and support, which has led to today’s positive outcome for our sector.

Following the vote, EIBF Co-President Fabian Paagman says “Today’s result is a loud and clear message of support from the European Parliament to the European book sector. Long, flexible and mutually agreed payment terms in the book chain are vital to ensure a rich and broad diversity of books across European bookshops. We thank MEPs for acknowledging this in their vote and call on Member States to follow suit”.

We look forward to engaging and cooperating with Member States as they further discuss their position, as well as with the European Parliament in the next mandate, in order to ensure a positive, balanced, and appropriate text for the benefit of the European book sector.

You can find the full press release attached.

Read more about EIBF hails book exclusion from Late Payment Regulation in European Parliament position

EIBF and IPA concerned at freedom to publish limits of new Hong Kong Security Law

Following the adoption of the new Hong Kong Security Law on 19 March 2024, the International Publishers Association (IPA) and the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) are concerned at the limits this law will create on the freedom to publish in Hong Kong.

The new law has been denounced by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), the Hong Kong Centre for Human Rights, and the Hong Kong Democratic Council (HKDC). At issue are the bill’s sweeping provisions and broad definitions. Reports in The Guardian suggest that the impact of the new law on publishers and booksellers has been immediate.

Kristenn Einarsson, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee: The last ten years have seen publishing and bookselling in Hong Kong decimated. From intimidation to restrictive security laws we must recognise the tools of censorship and resist them.

EIBF Co-President, Jean Luc Treutenaere: The steady deterioration of the freedom of expression in Hong Kong is alarming and disheartening. The book publishing and bookselling communities are under threat by repressive security laws, which are resulting in vibrant and beloved bookshops shutting down. Any closure, and particularly in current times, is a massive loss to the book world.

In 2022, EIBF highlighted the case of Lam Wing-Kee, a Hong Kong bookseller who was the subject of censorship from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Mr Lam’s bookshop Causeway Bay Books had been running in Hong Kong for decades, selling books that were deemed unlawful in mainland China, and defying the oppression of the government. In 2015, Mr Lam was one of five booksellers and publishers who disappeared from various locations in Hong-Kong, Thailand and mainland China. Fearing extradition to China, in 2019, Mr Lam escaped to Taiwan, where he has recreated his bookshop. This space has become a gathering place for advocates of freedom of expression, democracy and human rights.

IPA has previously expressed concern about the situation for publishers in Hong Kong. In September 2022, 5 authors and publishers were sentenced to 19 months in prison for ‘conspiracy to print, publish, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications’. In 2018 IPA awarded the Prix Voltaire to Swedish Hong Kong publisher by Gui Minhai who co-owned Mighty Current and was one of the Causeway Books booksellers. Gui is currently in jail in China. The IPA continues to call for his release.

Read more about EIBF and IPA concerned at freedom to publish limits of new Hong Kong Security Law

New RISE Study on Green Bookselling: Full report, useful tools and webinar registration

The European International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) is extremely proud to not only have organised yet another successful bookselling conference, but also to be able to have it as a stage on which to amplify ground-breaking and thought provoking work.

Such work is exemplified by the launch of the first ever study on the sustainability of the bookselling sector, commissioned through the RISE Bookselling programme and presented at the 2024 RISE Bookselling Conference. The 'Study on the Sustainability of the Bookselling Sector: State of Play, Challenges and Sector Improvements’, was authored by researchers Fanny Valembois (The Shift Project) and David Piovesan (Lyon 3 – Jean Moulin University).

The study speaks to both seasoned booksellers with years of bookselling experience and those just starting out in the industry, and we expect it to be a trusted partner in putting anyone in the right path towards a cleaner, greener future.

The report is divided in six chapters spanning across six different sustainability themes (energy, waste, shipping, digital sector, management, and customer awareness), each with practical tips on how to begin or continue the sustainability journey and follows a multi-disciplinary approach resting on four pillars of research: focus groups, documentary analysis, online interviews and site visits to bookshops.

The study can be found and downloaded here: https://risebookselling.eu/sustainable-bookselling.

And if you’re curious to know more and hear from our researchers…

Join us on the 7^th of May at 18:00-19:00 (CEST) for an exclusive webinar where the authors will first present the study, followed by interactive workshops and designated Q&A sessions!

Now more than ever, it is imperative that we acknowledge and adapt to the very real effects and conditions of climate change in our lives. But what steps can bookshops take to do so? This webinar, along with the study, is a great opportunity to provide booksellers with all the necessary practical tools to run their shops more sustainably across key areas.

Read more about New RISE Study on Green Bookselling: Full report, useful tools and webinar registration

Conference success repeated in Lisbon by EIBF led RISE Bookselling

The EIBF team and board members posing in front of a screen.

After a dazzling debut conference last year in Prague, the EIBF led and organised RISE Bookselling Conference came back bigger and better this year, hosted at the iconic and picturesque Centro Cultural de Belém complex in Lisbon, Portugal. The conference proved once more to be a one-of-its-kind space in which to grow and foster a global and resilient bookselling community.

This year, on the 17-18 of March, the conference embodied more than ever the fervent passion, resilience and proud spirit of the bookselling sector, gathering over 300 booksellers and key stakeholders in the sector (authors, publishers, distributors, etc.) from every corner of the world. The conference served as a forum for them to meet, network, debate, and discuss current topics of relevance to the bookselling sector.

Delegates from 28 countries enjoyed a rich and packed programme of panels covering a wide range of priority topics for the book trade such as sustainability, accessibility, AI innovation, diversity and inclusion, book censorship and many more.

The increase in participation from the year prior highlighted how unique and crucial the RISE Bookselling Conference is in creating an organic sense of belonging to an international book community that shares the same values and ideals, as well as facilitating dialogue and understanding among booksellers.

On our dedicated Conference page, you can watch highlights from this year’s sophomore conference, browse through our photo gallery, read a recap of the conference and download some of the presentations and other workshop materials.

The third edition of the RISE Bookselling Conference will take place in Riga, Latvia on 23-24 March 2025.

‘Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability for the Enhancement of Bookselling’, or RISE Bookselling in short, is a three-year, EU co-funded programme run by EIBF. Since its launch in early 2022, RISE Bookselling has been working to create a real network of international and European booksellers, bringing them closer together while upscaling their resilience by providing them with key tools and insights they can put into practice in their shop.

Under the RISE Bookselling project, and among other multiple activities, EIBF has organised the RISE Bookselling Conference, the first-ever European and international conference to put booksellers at center-stage, giving them an opportunity to have a dedicated space in which to discuss their craft with like-minded peers.

Read more about Conference success repeated in Lisbon by EIBF led RISE Bookselling

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