Why This Iowa Bookstore Owner Is Delivering Books Himself During The COVID-19 Pandemic

When bookstores were declared non-essential businesses by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in late March, Bart Carithers, owner of Next Page Books in Cedar Rapids, wanted to find a way to ensure customers could still get books quickly. He chose to offer free book delivery to those in Cedar Rapids and neighboring communities, taking on the task himself. “Delivery service was one of the few options open to us to get books in customers’ hands,” he said in an interview.

Carithers is now averaging 20 deliveries per week, with the service available Monday through Friday. If a book is in stock or when an order comes in, he’ll deliver the book that day to avoid delays. “A number of folks who take sheltering in place seriously usually order more than one book at a time,” he said, with most ordering between one and ten titles. The most popular titles have been novels, as well as some nonfiction, including memoir Untamed by Glennon Doyle and nonfiction history book The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson. Additionally, customers have been turning to Carithers for suggestions. “Quite a few customers have asked me to select books for them that they would not typically read. They seem to be getting more adventurous in their choices.”

Carithers ensures customers’ safety by sanitizing his hands, wearing gloves and a mask and exercising proper social distancing. More than simply being a book delivery service, Carithers offers the opportunity to engage in live discussion during this time of social isolation. “It’s not uncommon for folks to come out of their homes and want to talk for a few minutes after I’ve left books on their doorstep, porch, or in the mailbox. It may be the only human interaction they’ve had that day,” he said.

Discussion topics range from hobbies and activities customers are doing to pass the time at home to politics. “When it comes to COVID-19, folks generally express their dissatisfaction with the government’s response to testing and supporting cities and states. Everyone questions what the next ‘new normal’ will be once we get beyond the immediate pandemic crisis,” said Carithers. Customers have been appreciative of his efforts, with one writing a note Carithers posted on the store’s Instagram account, stating, “Who needs Amazon when you have ‘Bart’azon!”

It’s not just locals who’ve been ordering from Next Door Books though. While regular customers have been “very supportive,” the store has also had an influx of new customers from outside Iowa, from areas such as Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, and New England. While Iowa residents receive free shipping, out of state packages cost $3 to $5 for shipping.

Carithers said he welcomes the book deliveries as a part of his new routine. “I enjoy getting in the car and driving around town delivering books and meeting new people. It’s an opportunity to take a deep breath and decompress before heading home, and I can combine deliveries with stopping to get groceries and other necessary items. One of the bright spots is the low cost of gas which makes this service so much more affordable.”

While print book sales are trending downward from 2019 in many major markets, Carithers said his customers are “going above and beyond” during this time. “Events like this always seem to bring out the best in people. I’ve been impressed, and humbled, by everyone’s generosity, patience, and concern,” he said. Carithers plans to continue to offer book delivery until the governor’s order is lifted, and “probably beyond for folks who may be uncomfortable being in public settings.”