The Problem

The Bookshelf, a 20-year-old, small, independent bookstore in Truckee, California, is on the brink of closing. Due to decreased traffic, increased rent, and the changing bookstore environment, the business is struggling. This is a problem. The people of Truckee-Tahoe love their books and their local bookstore. They don’t want to see it close.

A Community Solution

This month, when we heard that the locally owned, independent Bookshelf in Truckee, was about to close after 20 years, we formed a group to breathe some new life into the business and try to save it.

The Bookshelf has been such an important part of our lives as readers, parents, teachers, community members, writers, and isolated mountain dwellers -- not only for the books, but also for the author and community events that the Bookshelf has hosted over the years. We can’t imagine Truckee without it. 

Here's Our Plan to Save Our Shelf:

• Buy Books: We have launched a grassroots campaign to raise awareness about the fate of Bookshelf to encourage community to buy local, especially during the holiday season;

• Youth-Led Rally on November 23rd: High school students designed and implemented a campaign to raise awareness via social media and culminating with a rally on November 23rd. Check out their campaign at www.gofundme.com/5636jk;

• Raise Money: We have launched this campaign to raise $30,000 over the next 60 days from the community and long-time patrons. Our hope is that thousands will donate a small amount to help Save Our Shelf;

• Improve the Space: We plan to bring in a local interior design expert (who has generously donated her service) to give the old Shelf a new, more inviting and appealing look (with the possibility of new paint, furniture, window displays, etc.);

• Create new business plan for long-term sustainability: We are collecting ideas on how to transform the Bookshelf including a membership model, new ownership, forming partnerships, or finding a new space. In January we will analyze our options and move forward. 

Our Goal:

Develop a Bookshelf that is everything we love about the old Shelf and more -- with a sustainable business plan that can become a model for other efforts like ours to keep culture, the arts, and small businesses alive and well.

All we need is you.

The Impact

This campaign and the funds that we raise here will determine the future of the Shelf! 

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't make a donation to the campaign, you can still help the Save Our Shelf campaign succeed by contributing in other ways. We would love it if you:

• Spread the word! Please forward this campaign on to all friends, colleagues, and family

• Join the working group. We need more people with resources, expertise, and most importantly, energy and time to help out in making this happen. If you can volunteer some time we would love for you to get involved. Stop by the Bookshelf or e-mail the owner, Debbie Lane (bookshelf.truckee@yahoo.com), to learn how.