How to build relationships with local schools and libraries

Start building your local network now

To embed your bookshop in the heart of the community, start by making a list of all local primary schools, secondary schools, and libraries. Your goal is to introduce yourself and offer to help them with their book-buying needs. Forging these relationships is one of the most effective ways to generate steady, reliable sales and establish your shop as a vital local resource.

Why these partnerships are worth the effort

Collaborating with schools and libraries offers more than just goodwill; it's a powerful business strategy. Schools need to buy books in bulk for classes, and libraries constantly update their collections. By becoming their trusted supplier, you can secure large, regular orders. Furthermore, these partnerships introduce your shop to a wide audience of children, parents, and teachers, driving new footfall and building a loyal customer base for years to come.

A step-by-step guide to making contact

1. Create a Target List: Use a search engine to find all the schools and libraries within a reasonable radius. Don't forget to include nurseries, pre-schools, and local community centres that might run reading groups.
2. Do Your Homework: Before you get in touch, spend a few minutes on their website. Find the name of the right person to contact – this might be the school librarian, the Head of English, or the headteacher. This small bit of research shows you've made an effort and are serious about working with them.
3. Craft a Simple, Compelling Offer: Draft a friendly and concise email. Introduce your bookshop and explain that you're keen to support their work. Instead of a generic message, offer specific solutions. For example, you could offer a standard discount on bulk orders, help curate reading lists for specific topics, or supply books for a school book fair.
4. Follow Up Politely: Schools and libraries are incredibly busy places. If you don't hear back within a week or two, don't be afraid to send a polite follow-up email or make a quick phone call. Persistence often pays off.

Ideas for collaboration

When you get in touch, it helps to have a few concrete ideas to propose. Consider offering to:

• Supply class sets of novels or textbooks.
• Help organise and supply books for a World Book Day event.
• Partner on a summer reading challenge.
• Host author visits or workshops, either in your shop or at their location.
• Run a book stall at school fairs or parents' evenings.
• Offer a discount scheme for teachers and library staff.

Top Tip: Start small. Focus on building a strong relationship with one or two enthusiastic schools or a local library first. A successful partnership with one will provide a powerful case study you can use to approach others later on.