Saturday is National Indie Bookstore Day. Here's how and where to support local bookshops

Do you have a library card but still find yourself dipping into bookstores, leaving with a stack of books under your arm, knowing very well you already have a heap at home, many with a two-week library return date?

For all the bookaholics out there, rejoice! It's your time of the time of year, as Saturday is National Independent Bookstore Day. And it's not just any holiday; this year is special. National Independent Bookstore Day is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

National Independent Bookstore Day, also referred to as National "Indie" Bookstore Day, has been held on the last Saturday in April for the past 10 years. Hundreds of bookstores across the country — including some in Cuba and Puerto Rico — are participating this year.

National Indie Bookstore Day is hosted by the American Booksellers Association through the IndieBound initiative. This initiative was created to better connect authors, booksellers and consumers through the locally-owned marketplace.

More: Five of 2022's most challenged books in U.S. were restricted in Nixa after parent requests

Members of the American Booksellers Association (which include new, used and online booksellers) may participate in official holiday celebrations, including access to exclusive National Indie Bookstore Day gifts. Items from this year's exclusive catalog, which may be available at varying member stores, include a 500-piece banned book puzzle, "Independent Bookstore Day" tote bag and t-shirts, a Lowly Worm plush (the main character in Richard Scarry's children's books), a signed copy of Sheila Heti's "Pure Colour," among others.

Member stores will also have an array of freebies available for customers on Saturday, including stickers, pins, temporary tattoos, bookmarks and coloring books.

In Springfield, there are two bookstores that are American Booksellers Association members, Pagination Bookshop and Bookmarx.

Pagination Bookshop

Pagination Bookshop is tucked away inside a two-story house on Historic Walnut Street. The new and used bookstore also offers book-themed puzzles, journals, stickers, pins and other locally-made trinkets.

In conjunction with National Indie Bookstore Day, Pagination is celebrating its fourth birthday on Saturday. Cupcakes and lemonade will be available for customers who stop by.

Pagination opened in spring 2019, celebrating its first birthday right around the start of the pandemic.

"I get emotional when I think about it," co-owner Jennifer Murvin said with a laugh. "During that hard time, people really came out to support the store and local businesses in a way that I think was really important for community. It's something that I've seen continue.

"Pagination has kind of expanded from just like an idea I had on a walk one day to this old historic home on Walnut. Coming in and people are shopping and they're reading the books and they're taking selfies out in front of the shop and they're taking the time to order from us or get curations for loved one's birthdays, it's just really a dream come true."

In addition to co-owning Pagination, Murvin is an assistant English professor at Missouri State University. She said she enjoys melding the two literary occupations to serve the community.

Pagination is located at 1150 E. Walnut St. and open Tuesday through Friday noon to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Bookmarx

Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Bookmarx, a new and used bookstore, celebrates its ninth anniversary this May. For National Indie Bookstore Day, Bookmarx is offering 25% off all books.

Owner Joshua Arnett said he believes independent bookstores are important because of their connection to the community, through events like local author book-signings and artist showcases, which can't always be found at big-name retailers.

Like many downtown businesses, Bookmarx participates in First Friday Art Walk. The back room of the bookstore is dedicated to showcase work by local artists. Each month the bookstore features a new body of work, with an opening reception for First Friday Art Walk.

In addition to books and local art, Bookmarx is popularly known for its feline friends: Googey and Squash. Googey calls the bookstore home, Squash visits regularly and the two enjoy good belly scratches from customers (on their own terms, of course).

Bookmarx is located at 325 E. Walnut St. and open Monday noon to 7 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Official participation in National Intendent Bookstore Day is for American Booksellers Association members, but there are still plenty of other local bookstores to support Saturday and throughout the rest of the year.

ABC Books

Established in 1989, ABC Books is a new and used bookstore. ABC Books does offer a trade and sell program for customers. ABC Books is located at 2109 N. Glenstone Ave. Suite J and open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hooked on Books

With over 100,000 books in stock, Hooked on Books has provided one of the largest used book selections in Southwest Missouri since 1986. Hooked on Books also offers a trade and sell program. Hooked on Books is located at 2756 S. Campbell Ave. and open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Renaissance Books & Gifts

Renaissance Books & Gifts features a variety of religious, secular and New Age reading materials, in addition to crystals, jewelry, aromatherapy, candles and incense, stationary, clothing and home décor. Renaissance Books & Gifts is located at 1337 E. Montclair St. and open Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

The Pilgrim's Way

The Pilgrim's Way is a used homeschool curriculum bookstore, offering both student textbooks and workbooks and teacher guides with little to no previous use. The bookstore offers over 20,000 items in stock, including CDs, DVDs and games. The Pilgrim's Way also operates a consignment service. The Pilgrim's Way is located at 1713 S. Campbell Ave. and open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cosmic King

Offering one of the largest comic collections in the area, Cosmic King is a new and used comic store. The comic store offers both Silver- and Bronze-age comics, along with old and new sports trading cards. Cosmic King is located at 1915 N. National Ave. and open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Another Comic Shop

Another Comic Shop offers comic books, figurines, games and toys. The shop offers and sell and trade program. Another Comic Shop is located at 1341 E. Kearney St. and open Wednesday through Friday 1-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

The American Booksellers Association operates an online interactive map of bookstores participating in official holiday celebrations. The map is accessible on the IndieBound website at indiebound.org/independent-bookstore-day/map.

Don't forget, the Friends of the Library Book Sale runs through Sunday.

After you've purchased enough books to read for the rest of the year, don't forget to stop by the Friends of the Library Book Sale. The Spring Book Sale is at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds E-Plex at 3001 N. Grant Ave. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., all items are half price. The final day of the sale, Sunday, is $1 and $5 bag day. The sale is open from 1-5 p.m. Admission and parking for the sale is free.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Saturday is National Indie Bookstore Day. Here are 8 shops to support