Booksellers in Square ready for rush

THE mad rush for books may not have started, but the Woodford Square Second Hand Booksellers Association has set up its tents and is gearing up for the rush. Marcia Duncan, spokesperson for the association, told Newsday for the last eight years they have been a regular part of the square in downtown Port-of-Spain, especially from July to September. She said this year’s sales were better than last year, “But things are still slow and we are hoping that by month-end it picks up.”  Duncan pointed out, however, that because it was only three weeks into the vacation, she expected the rush closer to the opening of schools, at the end of August. She said since the tents were put up on July 5, there had been a steady stream of parents and guardians pricing the books. During the interview, several persons armed with book lists came to enquire about whether the books were available. Some promised to “come back for sure,” while others snatched up the book on the spot.

She said most of the books were purchased in San Fernando from persons who are trading in used books to bookshops. Others are obtained through a word of mouth network of friends and relatives. She explained that while the trade is year round for her, some of the women merely “see it as a hustle for the three months.” As for the price of the books, Duncan said they are reasonable because they are second-hand but in “good condition.” “If you see a book in the store for about $160, you will get it here for about $100, so people could get more books for their money.” Duncan’s sentiments were supported by Karen Peters, a regular who sells books to the association. She said she was very satisfied with the prices she paid for her daughter’s used books since “the stores pay you less.” Peters was also pleased with the prices at which the books are sold.

She said, “If you can save a penny you have to take advantage of it.” The association sells only school books — from infants to advanced level — and sometimes tertiary level books. Duncan even boasts of having regional clients — from Guyana, St Vincent and Grenada. “Only this morning a lady came from St Vincent.” She has ambitious plans too. “I want to get a permanent site so we can be here all year, because books are needed all the time. We have to operate like a real business, and by the end of the month we should get our registered certificate.”