Independent Bookstore Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Saturday, April 29th. There are until the next observance.

Every year on the final Saturday of April, Independent Bookstore Day is observed, and this year it will be observed on April 29. The day is dedicated to all independent bookshops in the United States and their unique contribution to the fabric of society. Books, formerly regarded as the cornerstone of civilization and the source of the majority of man’s knowledge, have experienced substantial change in the last few decades. Even though books are becoming less important and valuable, they are still important to most people around the world. It is in this spirit that we celebrate this day.

📆 When is Independent Bookstore Day?

This year, Independent Bookstore Day is on April 29th. It is the 5th Saturday in April; in 2024, it is on Monday.

Countdown to Independent Bookstore Day

Did you know: The Bertrands bookshop in Lisbon, Portugal, is the oldest bookstore still open in the world. It opened in 1732.

You can also explore all cool things you didn’t know about and facts about April 29, 2023.

📜 History of Independent Bookstore Day

The elite of society, particularly in Rome, took great delight in amassing a respectable collection of titles. So, almost 2,000 years ago, the commercial book trade began, and today, every person on the planet has access to a bookstore, with volumes accessible in practically every dialect. Because historically only the most powerful members of society had access to books and their contents due to historically low literacy rates, bookshops have evolved in a variety of shapes and forms over the millennia. However, at their core, they have always been communities of the literate and rich. While the concept of a library has been around for thousands of years, the modern bookshop is far more contemporary.

Portugal is home to the world’s oldest bookshop, which has been in business for over 300 years. Although bookstores have come and gone throughout history, this is considered to be the oldest one that is still in business. Despite this, bookshops can now be found in a wide range of towns and key social gathering places. They are an important part of the social structure of their communities because people can talk to them directly.

☑️ Independent Bookstore Day facts

Books as a trade
Libraries may be credited with promoting books and their economic worth because, as the number of libraries increased about 300 BC, so did access to and demand for books across the ancient world.

Barnes and Noble
With 154,250 square feet of retail space and over 12.87 miles of shelves, Barnes and Noble is America’s largest bookshop.

Amazon bookstore
You might be excused for assuming that Amazon books are only accessible online, but Amazon realized the necessity for a physical bookstore, and they have one in Seattle.

Things to do on Independent Bookstore Day

Visit an independent bookstore
It’s crucial to know where they are and what they have to offer. Visit your neighborhood’s independent bookshops and let them know you know they exist.

Buy a book
Support your local independent bookshop, whether it’s for yourself or someone else. Purchase anything and recommend it to a friend.

Share on Social Media
Help spread the word about your local small bookshop. Share their message and contact information on your social media channels.

📅 Independent Bookstore Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 April 29 Saturday
2024 April 29 Monday
2025 April 29 Tuesday
2026 April 29 Wednesday
2027 April 29 Thursday

View all April holidays, including Special Interest and other Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Independent Bookstore Day. So be sure to check back soon.