Libreria (A Bookshop by Second Home) — An Interview with Lloyd Sowerbutts
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Libreria (A Bookshop by Second Home) — An Interview with Lloyd Sowerbutts
Libreria , a bookshop by Second Home is a London based independent bookstore founded by former Downing Street policymaker turned tech…
Libreria , a bookshop by Second Home is a London-based independent bookstore founded by former Downing Street policymaker turned tech entrepreneur Rohan Silva and Sam Aldenton who has experience in the area of workspace innovation and creative direction. They aspire to influence readers or bibliophiles with an emphasis on nurturing creativity and innovation. Every aspect of the bookshop is designed to help readers discover new books and ideas, and encourage interdisciplinary thinking.
Rohan Silva - CEO and Co-founder - Second Home | LinkedIn
View Rohan Silva's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Rohan has 7 jobs listed on their…www.linkedin.com
Sam Aldenton - Co-founder - Second Home | LinkedIn
View Sam Aldenton's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Sam has 4 jobs listed on their…www.linkedin.com
Libreria is more than just a bookshop. It can feel like something of a literary paradise, where money takes a backseat. It is that remarkable space that understands the magical feel of a hardbacks or paperbacks, the smell of old yellow pages and the delight of discovering a gem. It is in equal parts a bookshop, library and sanctuary . It can be found at 65 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5JP.
Libreria, as depicted by Silva in an interview with The Literary Hub will help with one of the contemporary/modern issue our society is facing these days , an over-load of content and information . At the bookshop , the idea was to arrange the inventory , not as indicated by standard categories — fiction, autobiography, science, literature and thus forth — but in intriguing subjects intended to incite individuals into making startling discovery.
The Bookshop is not about being an on-demand services or catering to an instrumental need. This is instead about providing a space/platform that praises curation or celebrates community and people, which allows individual to get an overview of the intellectual landscape and thereby immerse themselves in the escapade of being in the bookshop , that experience will include a occasional late-nights events or literary festival that range past the mainstream author Q&A session , and a printing press in the cellar in which clients can pursue courses and print their own work.
“If you click on book by Martin Amis, the other books that you will be recommended will fall resolutely in that category. You’re not going to be recommended a book on quantum physics, for example, but that’s what creativity is about — serendipity. And that’s what bookshops facilitate.” says Rohan.
I had a wonderful & insightful conversation and Q&A session with
Lloyd Sowerbutts about Bookselling Business Ecosystem . He is associated with the bookshop since 2017 as a Operation Manager.
Excerpts from the Interview : -
Q1) Tell us about the bookshop, including its history and location. Who is the founder/owner of the bookshop?
Lloyd : Libreria is a bookshop by Second Home, a creative workspace co-founded by Rohan Silva and Sam Aldenton.
Q2) Also, what types of books does your store stock and specialize in? How do you make those “literally a thousand choices” that lead to the displays you see on the shelves? Not by algorithm, that’s for sure. ☺
Lloyd : Libreria was conceived as a way for customers to discover new voices and ideas, which wouldn’t be easy in a conventionally merchandised bookshop, or internet retailer’s algorithm. Libreria’s books are grouped according to broad themes, such as: Wanderlust, Enchantment for the Disenchanted and Utopia. The team selects books that will appeal to the many tastes and interests of our customers.
Cultural programme - Libreria
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Q3) What characteristics do you think a person needs to have to successfully run an independent bookstore?
Lloyd : The love and appreciation of books is obvious. I personally gravitate to bookstores that are customer focused. To run a successful bookshop, organization, clear merchandising standards and a strong work ethic. coupled with a can-do attitude are key. There is a romanticised notion of bookselling, yet there is a grind that is hidden from customers.
Q4) What do you most enjoy about being a bookseller? What’s life like as an indie bookseller?
Lloyd : I find customers who share their thoughts about recent books they have enjoyed really the biggest highlight to the day.
The job has many facets and challenges that keep me focused on delivering the best work I am capable of.
Q5) What’s your bookselling philosophy?
Lloyd : I have never considered having a philosophy, but I am continually listening and seeking to understand who my customers are and what they seek. This determines the books I select to stock and how I continually look to improve Libreria.
Q6) How did the books you read helped you when you started to work as a bookseller?
Lloyd : I remember starting as a bookseller over 14 years ago, as if it was yesterday. My indelible memory is that I hadn’t read widely enough and I was humbled by the wealth of knowledge customers and colleagues possessed, and continue to possess. I still believe I have levels to aspire to.
Q7) Tell me about what considerations booksellers had to make when curating the bookshop.
Lloyd : The overarching considerations when I select books are the customers wants and expectations. This is always a key factor, so I strip my ego out of the curation. I allow customer interest and a book’s subsequent sales performance dictate whether a book stays, or goes.
Q8) What would you like people to know about Independent Bookshops that they might not know already?
Lloyd : The profit margins on books are razor-thin and that we often have to pay for the books to be stocked, in order to make them available for customers to browse.
Home | Libreria
"Your new favourite bookshop" GQ Hand picked books delivered to your door every month Every aspect of Libreria is…www.libreria-subscribe.com
Q9) How important do you think indie bookstores are today? Do they matter?
Lloyd : Absolutely! Independent bookstores and chains, no matter their respective size, will ensure customers will have a greater choice than they could discover online, or in a more bestseller-focused operation.
Q10) Do you have favorite books and authors, or a genre that you’d like to share?
Lloyd : I’m curious by nature, so my favorite books reflect this. If I was forced to pick a few, they would be: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, Lost Japan by Alex Kerr, The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill and The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas.
Q11) Also I wanted to check in with you on what your store is doing to survive in this challenged era of COVID, when many stores have had to close, either temporarily or permanently…
Lloyd : During lockdown, I was offering recommendations and curations in PDF formats. I was utilising supplier services to fulfill any orders to ensure Libreria remained relevant.
Since reopening, I have focused on preserving much of what makes Libreria special, but also safe for our customers to browse. This has meant the removal of seating and limiting the number of customers in the shop at any one time. Yet, I have broadened the online shop’s curation, continued to offer remote payments and deliveries. Also, I am always seeking to host interesting events with authors, such as Lucy Jones, Adam Greenfield, Tine Hoeg and Misha Hoekstra.
Shop | Libreria
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Q12) Any trends or predictions for the bookselling industry? What do you think the future looks like for independent booksellers?
Lloyd : I have no idea about future trends and I’m reluctant to make predictions. I’m focused on taking current developments in my stride by considering immediate impacts and formulating solutions to ensure Libreria is here for years to come. :)
Thank you all for reading and a big thanks to Lloyd Sowerbutts for collaborating in today’s post!
If any of my readers here , wish to know more about the bookstore and their work. Do open the links mentioned below . They have a wonderful informative , articulated and well-curated website.
Website : https://libreria.io/
Newsletter : https://libreria.io/newsletter/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/librerialondon/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/librerialondon/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/LibreriaLondon