Standing up for freedom of expression

It’s no coincidence that throughout history, during times of political oppression and turmoil, books have been banned and restricted, while authors, publishers and bookshops have been targeted, censored, silenced and even vandalised. With extreme ideologies on the rise across much of Europe and the world, we see a corresponding increase in the censorship of books. 

EIBF and our community of booksellers believe in freedom of expression as a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. We know that reading books is not only enjoyable – it also promotes the exchange of knowledge, it leads to new ideas, and it encourages critical thinking. That’s why freedom of expression is essential.

At EIBF, we’re committed to raising awareness and informing others about this important topic. But booksellers also play a crucial role in safeguarding that freedom, and they – just like publishers, authors and librarians – must not face retribution for standing up for what matters.

Standing up for literacy

Reading brings a multitude of benefits – not only to individual readers but to society as a whole. Books provide knowledge and education, of course, but they also instil empathy and understanding for other people. A literate population plays a more active role in society. 

However, globally – including in Europe – reading skills are declining, with literacy rates dropping. It’s well known that low levels of literacy predict poorer educational outcomes for children. But low literacy also makes participation in society more vulnerable. It’s therefore essential that we work together to turn this trend around.

Bookshops and libraries both strive for the same goals of literacy, reading promotion and access to books. They have a long history of working together to get people reading. Because supporting a literate population also entails supporting a well-educated, active and understanding community.

Maintaining freedom for small businesses

Bookshops are under pressure from all angles. While we welcome legislation that’s helpful to the book sector, any additional laws that could further impose on booksellers in the years to come should be carefully thought out to avoid a detrimental effect on an already fragile sector. Regulations that impact bookshops’ contractual freedom, investment choices, operations or financial capacities should not be rushed. If regulations are not thoroughly considered, they risk driving many bookshops out of business by imposing even more constraints on the industry. 

Any additional red tape or administrative burdens for SMEs will always end up making it easier for the big online retailers to monopolise the industry and drive away fair competition. We know that a lot of bookshops are small, local businesses that need to evolve and invest to meet demand in a rapidly changing market. And we believe that local retailers should be free to make their own choices about whether and when to make their products and services available.

Maintaining bookselling as a career path

The recent cost of living crisis and surge in inflation have been felt by businesses up and down the high street – including bookshops. Many booksellers report that they’re struggling to pay their staff a decent wage, and that talented employees are leaving to pursue more lucrative career opportunities. Fixed costs have increased tremendously, while people are buying fewer books due to rising prices. In short, bookselling is a tough business. 

We want to ensure the viability of bookselling as a desirable, long-term career path for the next generation. Booksellers need strong cultural policies that promote books, reading and literacy. We’re therefore looking for dedicated training for booksellers, as well as initiatives that support education, access to books and reading events. We’re also looking for policies that support local purchasing of books – for example, public procurement that enables schools and libraries to buy their books through local bookshops. In short, we need more readers to get out there and buy books so that bookshops make higher revenues and are able to pay better wages.