Community Involvement
The Book Man puts together community activities, such as story time within the store, storytelling circles, and musical events. They are known for bringing acts such as Immaculate Machine Klesmer accordion artist Geoff Berner, folk singer Raghu Lokanathan to play gigs in Downtown Chilliwack during their Book Man Concert Series. In-store events with celebrities such as renowned dog psychologist & author Stanley Coren and author W. P. Kinsella draw crowds of fans for readings, book signings and question and answer sessions. W. P. Kinsella is a longtime customer. Other customers include Arthur Black (humorist), Kim Stanley Robinson, Canadian poet/author Dennis Lee (author), John Ralston Saul, Matt Hughes (writer), Simma Holt, Bill Blass (designer), politician Chuck Strahl and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Steven Point, Neil Gaiman, William Deverell, author Dana Stabenow, author Marianne Williamson, and superstar author Clive Cussler!
The Book Man is involved with the Chilliwack Learning Community Society, a local community literacy initiative through giving financial support and serving on their Early Years Task Group and Social Marketing Committee. Co-Owner and manager Amber Short spearheaded a local television show through Shaw Cable and Early Years which has been running since 2011 focusing on literacy and community programs available to improve family literacy. The store also provides all of the books used in "book bins" throughout the community. Children's books are left in bins in hospital waiting rooms, laundromats, cafes, physician waiting rooms and other public places throughout the community. They have also joined forces with The Rotary Club of Chilliwack; students at a local highschool handmake small bookshelves which The Book Man then fills with free books. The Rotary Club has volunteers which place and maintain these shelves in businesses, staff rooms and waiting rooms around town.
They are a key supporter of Rosedale Elementary's 'Reading Mastery' program; an award winning reading program that has won the school performance awards for literacy accomplishments. A yearly contest invites students, faculty or members of the community to write short essays explaining why books are important to their school. Run through a local newspaper, The Chilliwack Times, the winner of the contest wins 1000 free children's books for their school. These books are either used in the library, in classrooms, or as incentives for good grades and literacy programs according to the school's discretion.
The Book Man's manager, Amber Short writes articles on literacy and running a used bookstore. The Book Man's Shelf and The Bookshop Blog amongst others.
Read more about this topic: The Book Man
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