Libri.Campus, Germany's largest training event for the independent book trade, celebrated last 11-12 May the 20th edition of its annual event. Always set around a theme or issue concerning the book industry, the 2023 programme revolved around the goal of getting to understand young readers and ran under the motto ‘Generation Book’.
Following this symbolic milestone in the history of Libri.Campus, we had a discussion with Alyna Wnukowsky, Spokeswoman for the Management Board of Libri, who guides us through the contributions that Libri.Campus has made to the book sector over the years, and how it stands as a valuable platform for booksellers to connect, gain knowledge a thrive in the industry.
Where does the idea of the Libri.Campus come from?
The concept behind the Libri.Campus is to empower the independent book trade. These locally owned bookstores ensure the visibility of books even in rural areas. However, amidst their day-to-day operations, booksellers often struggle to keep up with current trends. Today, the Libri.Campus is the largest educational event for independent booksellers.
What specific solutions can Libri.Campus provide to booksellers/the bookselling sector?
The Libri.Campus provides a platform for learning, idea-sharing, deep-diving into topics, and simply having a great time together. It's important to note that booksellers are the true experts in their own businesses. We merely provide them with the space to connect and exchange experiences, along with knowledge from industry experts and valuable data. For instance, this year, we collaborated with the German Publishers and Booksellers Association and conducted a survey involving 30 young adults to understand their reading habits and buying behavior. Additionally, we commissioned a GfK evaluation on the purchasing behavior of young book buyers. Drawing upon these evaluations and others, we engaged in collaborative discussions at the Libri.Campus.
Each year, the Libri.Campus focuses on a central theme. In 2022, the emphasis was on sustainability and the impact of values in the book trade. This year's theme was "GENERATION BOOK." How did this approach come about?
In the German book market, we observe a decline in young readership every year. However, it's also worth noting that young people are now spending more money on books compared to five years ago. To summarize, while we have fewer young readers, those who do read are highly enthusiastic. This led us to ask ourselves: How can we spark excitement about locally owned bookstores among young book lovers? How can we reach a broader audience of young people? And most importantly, how can we understand their desires and establish effective communication channels?
©Libri-photo-Philipp-Bögle
At Libri.Campus you place a lot of emphasis on practical approaches. Where do these ideas come from?
We work with project groups, where a team of booksellers develops ideas related to the Libri.Campus's main theme prior to the event. This year, a group of fourteen booksellers focused on the young target audience and tested their ideas within their bookshops during their day-to-day operations. At the live event, these fourteen booksellers form the "project group" and present their results on stage. The response has been fantastic, with fellow booksellers in the audience expressing enthusiasm. All these ideas have yielded positive outcomes within a few weeks and can be easily implemented, regardless of the size of one's bookstore.
How has booksellers' engagement with Libri.Campus evolved over the years? Can you summarize its impact on the bookselling sector?
The Libri.Campus has become a crucial industry gathering that booksellers eagerly anticipate each year. The trade press also takes a keen interest in the event and it`s topics. Ultimately, every successful bookstore adds to the diversity of our industry.
How do you look at the future of Libri Campus?
The Libri.Campus has always been attuned to the spirit of the times and will continue to be so. Our goal has always been to identify the challenges that the independent book trade will face in the future at an early stage. This will remain our guiding principle in the years to come. It's a priority on our agenda.
©Libri