A Pandemic Bookstore Challenge: Prevent Transmission From Turning Pages

Illustration (Brandon Lopez / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The struggle for independent bookstore owners is really tough. On the one hand, they struggle against low literacy interest. On the other hand, they are struggling with the emergence of various online bookstores. During a pandemic, the challenges are increased by a number of lockdown policies. In France, for example.

Now, a number of bookstores in France are welcoming the good news of easing lockdowns. One of them is the ICI bookstore in Paris. However, they are aware of the pandemic situation. Therefore, the bookstore staff has implemented a number of policies to support physical distancing.

According to Reuters, bookstore staff wore masks and prepared hand sanitizers at various points, from the front entrance to the shop. Everything is done so that customers who come can clean their hands again when flipping through books. The latter is a very new challenge for those bookstore managers.

“People are very careful not to touch books too much. And we are quick to tell them that it's okay to touch books, as long as they have to use a hand sanitizer every time they flip through books, "said one of the ICI bookstore owners Anne-Laure Vial.

Even so, the difference is quite pronounced. Since being allowed to open again, there have not been as many visitors as when the virus from Wuhan had not invaded. Fortunately, the shop owner has applied for two loans to cover additional expenses and reimburse 12 of his employees after being on temporary leave.

Government protection

Although the business sector in France is not doing well, the authorities continue to protect writers and bookstore owners with the idea of a "lexception culturelle". This idea means that the government must protect existing businesses from the swift flow of free markets.

The government is obliged to guarantee subsidies, quotas, income support, and tax breaks that can help support industry players in France. On that basis, there are also laws that prevent bookstores from cutting prices in order to protect author rights.

Moreover, it is common knowledge that bookstore owners have a modest advantage. So, the government is here to protect its business.

"They have a small percentage of profits, very low profits. So they can have difficulty repaying the loan. For that, it is possible that bookstores in France cannot compete because they go bankrupt. And that is precisely what we want to avoid," said the French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire.