The Book Man
Encyclopedia
The Book Man consists of two secondhand bookstores. The original store is in Chilliwack, British Columbia
measuring over 5000 square feet (464.5 m²), and is noted as the second largest used bookstore in the province. It is located at 45939 Wellington Avenue. Their second branch is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia
at #5-2630 Bourquin Crescent West in the Little Oak Mall and is 1600 square feet. The stores are both named after the owner's nickname. The Book Man originated in 1963 and was acquired by David Short under the name Erna's Book Nook in 1990. After he changed the name to The Book Nook, Short expanded inventory and shelving until yet another move was required. His daughter, Amber Short became co-owner and full-time manager in 2000 after many years of part time work. As of 2011, The Book Man employs a staff of fourteen. Their resident cat Nietzsche lives in Chilliwack and has gained international fame as a poster cat for bookstore cats. Gatsby, a grey and white cat, resides in their Abbotsford store. Both cats are known for greeting customers at the front door, and for their gentle and friendly dipositions. A program by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation referred to Chilliwack branch of The Book Man as "the mirror image to City Lights
".
Klesmer accordion artist Geoff Berner
, folk singer Raghu Lokanathan to play gigs in Downtown Chilliwack during their Book Man Concert Series. In-store events with celebrities such as renowned dog psychologist & author Stanley Coren
and author W. P. Kinsella
draw crowds of fans for readings, book signings and question and answer sessions. W. P. Kinsella
is a long time customer. Other customers include Arthur Black (humorist)
, Kim Stanley Robinson
, Canadian poet/author Dennis Lee (author)
, John Ralston Saul
, Matt Hughes (writer)
, Simma Holt
, Bill Blass (designer), politician Chuck Strahl
and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Steven Point
, Neil Gaiman
, William Deverell
, Kasia Wisniewski (designer, Vera Wang), author Dana Stabenow
, and author Marianne Williamson
The Book Man is involved with Early Years, a local community literacy initiative through giving financial support and sitting on their board. Co-Owner and manager Amber Short is spearheading a local television show through Shaw Cable and Early Years to start in 2011 focusing on literacy and community programs available to improve family literacy. The store also provides all of the books used in "book bins" throughout the community. Children's books are left in bins on public transit, hospital waiting rooms, laundromats and other public places throughout the community. They have also joined forces with The Rotary Club of Chilliwack who handmake small bookshelves which The Book Man then fills with free books which are then placed in businesses, staff rooms and waiting rooms around town.
They are a key supporter of Rosedale Elementary's 'Reading Mastery' program; an award winning reading program that has won the school performance awards for literacy accomplishments. A yearly contest invites students, faculty or members of the community to write short essays explaining why books are important to their school. Run through a local newspaper, The Chilliwack Times, the winner of the contest wins 1000 free children's books for their school. These books are either used in the library, in classrooms, or as incentives for good grades and literacy programs according to the school's discretion.
The Book Man's manager, Amber Short writes articles on literacy and running a used bookstore. The Book Man's Shelf and The Bookshop Blog amongst others.
2009
2008
2003
Chilliwack, British Columbia
Chilliwack is a Canadian city in the Province of British Columbia. It is a predominantly agricultural community with an estimated population of 80,000 people. Chilliwack is the second largest city in the Fraser Valley Regional District after Abbotsford. The city is surrounded by mountains and...
measuring over 5000 square feet (464.5 m²), and is noted as the second largest used bookstore in the province. It is located at 45939 Wellington Avenue. Their second branch is located in Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
at #5-2630 Bourquin Crescent West in the Little Oak Mall and is 1600 square feet. The stores are both named after the owner's nickname. The Book Man originated in 1963 and was acquired by David Short under the name Erna's Book Nook in 1990. After he changed the name to The Book Nook, Short expanded inventory and shelving until yet another move was required. His daughter, Amber Short became co-owner and full-time manager in 2000 after many years of part time work. As of 2011, The Book Man employs a staff of fourteen. Their resident cat Nietzsche lives in Chilliwack and has gained international fame as a poster cat for bookstore cats. Gatsby, a grey and white cat, resides in their Abbotsford store. Both cats are known for greeting customers at the front door, and for their gentle and friendly dipositions. A program by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation referred to Chilliwack branch of The Book Man as "the mirror image to City Lights
City Lights Bookstore
City Lights is an independent bookstore-publisher combination that specializes in world literature, the arts, and progressive politics. It also houses the nonprofit City Lights Foundation, which publishes selected titles related to San Francisco culture. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence...
".
Community involvement
The Book Man puts together community activities, such as story time within the store, storytelling circles, and musical events. They are known for bringing acts such as Immaculate MachineImmaculate Machine
Immaculate Machine was a Canadian indie pop band from Victoria, British Columbia, active from 2003 to 2011.The band's name is taken from the lyrics of "One-Trick Pony" from the album One-Trick Pony by Paul Simon.-History:...
Klesmer accordion artist Geoff Berner
Geoff Berner
Geoff Berner is a Canadian singer-songwriter and accordion player from Vancouver, British Columbia.Due to his insightful humor, politically inflammatory compositions and showmanship, Berner has gained a cult following over the years, especially in Canada and Norway, where he recorded his first...
, folk singer Raghu Lokanathan to play gigs in Downtown Chilliwack during their Book Man Concert Series. In-store events with celebrities such as renowned dog psychologist & author Stanley Coren
Stanley Coren
Stanley Coren is a psychology professor and neuropsychological researcher who has become best known to the general public for a series of books regarding the intelligence, mental abilities and history of dogs...
and author W. P. Kinsella
W. P. Kinsella
William Patrick Kinsella, OC, OBC is a Canadian novelist and short story writer who is well-known for his novel Shoeless Joe , which was adapted into the movie Field of Dreams in 1989...
draw crowds of fans for readings, book signings and question and answer sessions. W. P. Kinsella
W. P. Kinsella
William Patrick Kinsella, OC, OBC is a Canadian novelist and short story writer who is well-known for his novel Shoeless Joe , which was adapted into the movie Field of Dreams in 1989...
is a long time customer. Other customers include Arthur Black (humorist)
Arthur Black (humorist)
Arthur Black is a Canadian humorist and radio personality, best known as the longtime host of Basic Black on CBC Radio...
, Kim Stanley Robinson
Kim Stanley Robinson
Kim Stanley Robinson is an American science fiction writer known for his award-winning Mars trilogy. His work delves into ecological and sociological themes regularly, and many of his novels appear to be the direct result of his own scientific fascinations, such as the fifteen years of research...
, Canadian poet/author Dennis Lee (author)
Dennis Lee (author)
Dennis Beynon Lee, OC, MA is a Canadian poet, teacher, editor, and critic born in Toronto, Ontario. He is also a children's writer, well known for his book of children's rhymes, Alligator Pie.-Life:...
, John Ralston Saul
John Ralston Saul
John Ralston Saul, CC is a Canadian author, essayist, and President of International PEN.As an essayist, Saul is particularly known for his commentaries on the nature of individualism, citizenship and the public good; the failures of manager-, or more precisely technocrat-, led societies; the...
, Matt Hughes (writer)
Matt Hughes (writer)
Matthew Hughes is a British-born Canadian author who now lives wherever his secondary career as a housesitter takes him, while continuing to write science fiction under the name Matthew Hughes, crime fiction as Matt Hughes and media tie-ins as Hugh Matthews...
, Simma Holt
Simma Holt
Simma Holt, is a Canadian journalist, author, and a former member of the Canadian House of Commons.Born in Vegreville, Alberta, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1944 from the University of Manitoba. That same year she joined The Vancouver Sun as a reporter, feature writer, and columnist...
, Bill Blass (designer), politician Chuck Strahl
Chuck Strahl
Charles Strahl, PC, MP was a politician in British Columbia, Canada. He was a Member of Parliament in the governing Conservative Party of Canada.-Before politics:...
and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is the viceregal representative in British Columbia of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared with equally the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest...
Steven Point
Steven Point
Steven Lewis Point, is the 28th and current Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.From 1975 to 1999, Steven Point served as Chief of the Skowkale First Nation...
, Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, William Deverell
William Deverell
William Herbert Deverell is a Canadian novelist, activist, and criminal lawyer. He is among the most well known authors of crime fiction in Canada; the recipient of the 1997 and 2006 Arthur Ellis Awards for best Canadian crime novel, and the Dashiell Hammett Prize for literary excellence in crime...
, Kasia Wisniewski (designer, Vera Wang), author Dana Stabenow
Dana Stabenow
Dana Stabenow is an American author who has written science fiction, mystery, and suspense/thriller novels. Many of Stabenow's books are set in her home state of Alaska, where she was raised by her single mother who lived and worked on a fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. Stabenow received a B.A...
, and author Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson
Marianne Williamson is a spiritual activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance, a grass roots campaign supporting legislation currently before Congress to establish a United States Department of Peace. She is also the founder of Project Angel Food, a meals-on-wheels program that...
The Book Man is involved with Early Years, a local community literacy initiative through giving financial support and sitting on their board. Co-Owner and manager Amber Short is spearheading a local television show through Shaw Cable and Early Years to start in 2011 focusing on literacy and community programs available to improve family literacy. The store also provides all of the books used in "book bins" throughout the community. Children's books are left in bins on public transit, hospital waiting rooms, laundromats and other public places throughout the community. They have also joined forces with The Rotary Club of Chilliwack who handmake small bookshelves which The Book Man then fills with free books which are then placed in businesses, staff rooms and waiting rooms around town.
They are a key supporter of Rosedale Elementary's 'Reading Mastery' program; an award winning reading program that has won the school performance awards for literacy accomplishments. A yearly contest invites students, faculty or members of the community to write short essays explaining why books are important to their school. Run through a local newspaper, The Chilliwack Times, the winner of the contest wins 1000 free children's books for their school. These books are either used in the library, in classrooms, or as incentives for good grades and literacy programs according to the school's discretion.
The Book Man's manager, Amber Short writes articles on literacy and running a used bookstore. The Book Man's Shelf and The Bookshop Blog amongst others.
Professional Awards
2010- Retail Excellence - awarded by the local Chamber of Commerce.
- Best Used Bookstore in Chilliwack - awarded in the Best Of Awards by local newspaper The Chilliwack Progress.
- Favourite Used Bookstore in Chilliwack - awarded in the Reader's Choice Awards by local newspaper The Chilliwack Times in 2010.
- Nietzsche our bookstore cat gains recognition as the Poster Cat for Advanced Book Exchange's bookcat competition.
2009
- Community Environmental Hero award - Awarded by Livesmart BC, an environmental initiative.
- Established Business of the Year, Small - awarded by the local Chamber of Commerce
- Green Excellence, Retail - awarded by the local Chamber of Commerce & City of Chilliwack in 2009.
- First runner up for BC BIA's Environmental Achievement award in 2009.
- Favourite Used Bookstore in Chilliwack - awarded in the Reader's Choice Awards, The Chilliwack Times
2008
- Community Champ award - awarded for involvement in local literacy initiatives.
- Favourite Used Bookstore in Chilliwack - awarded in the Reader's Choice Awards by local newspaper The Chilliwack Times.
2003
- Employer of the Year - awarded by the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce for outstanding employment standards.
- Established Business of the Year - awarded by the local Chamber of Commerce.