Take the One Book Pledge

An independent book shop in California, Book Shop Santa Cruz created this movement. Many of our customers ask what they can do to help make sure that we remain a part of their community. Our response is simple. We tell customers that if they wanted to do only one thing to help support Coho Books, it would be to take the One Book Pledge.

The pledge is a commitment to buy, in any given month, one less book at an online or box-store and one more book at Coho Books.

A recent study found that even customers who define themselves as loyal independent bookstore customers only buy four out of every ten books from an independent bookstore. Imagine what would happen if everyone dedicated themselves to buying that fifth book from an independent as well. For a store like ours, it means more local jobs, more author events, the ability to carry more unique, small press titles and more money flowing to local schools, libraries and public safety through the collection of local tax and store donations.

With the growth of amazon.com and e-books creating an increasingly large threat to independent bookstores like ours, taking the pledge is the best way for customers to ensure the long-term viability of Coho Books. Take the pledge...it is doable, it is meaningful, and it is a commitment to help sustain and grow the local economy.

Thank you for taking the One Book Pledge. Stay tuned as we help to spread the message out to customers who want to support their local independent bookstore. We like to think of it as a mini-revolution - one that was started and shared with friends in Santa Cruz.

Pirkko, Erika, Jeanna and all your friends at Coho Books.