Global Book Crawl: uniting indie bookshops worldwide
Federico Lang from Librería Luces, Co-founder of the Global Book Crawl and the Independent Booksellers International Club (IBIC), shares how Global Book Crawl is uniting indie bookshops worldwide and calls on Indian bookshops to join this network.
Think global, act local
Global events have local impacts; we all know that. A major news story or trend can unexpectedly reshape our lives; we have seen it countless times. But what about the other way around? How can something we do in our neighbourhood make a mark on the world? That Think Global, Act Local motto looks like an ideal that is easy to aspire to but difficult to achieve.
That is precisely what the Global Book Crawl is about, and the idea is simple. Scheduled for the last week of April 2025, the Global Book Crawl invites bookstores worldwide to organise and participate in their local “book crawls,” where readers visit multiple bookshops nearby. It’s a fun, community-centred event that is easy to set up and almost effortless to join.
But here’s the twist: with all these crawls taking part at the same time and in a coordinated way, using a shared hashtag, #globalbookcrawl, suddenly, these local events become part of something huge. It’s a way to celebrate indie bookshops worldwide, connecting readers and shops across borders. You’re part of your community event and part of a global movement.
Mission and vision
The Global Book Crawl is part of a simple but powerful vision. We want to create a global network to connect, collaborate, and share resources, enriching the experience our shops offer readers. We are convinced that by joining forces, indie bookshops can create something unique that strengthens our communities while contributing to a worldwide movement.
A growing community
Since its conception, the Global Book Crawl has brought together indie bookshops from various corners of the globe. Participation from bookshops in the USA, Spain, Mexico, Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Italy, and Peru has already been confirmed, and we’re actively reaching out to more countries. This is just the beginning! Each new city brings its flavour to the crawl.
Why join? What’s in It for indie bookshops?
The benefits of joining the Global Book Crawl extend beyond a single event. For participating bookshops, it’s a chance to attract new readers, increase visibility, and be part of a global celebration that highlights the independent bookshop community. Plus, because this initiative is rooted in simplicity, it doesn’t require a lot of resources, just a welcoming spirit and a commitment to connecting with readers.
An exciting element of this initiative is the potential media attention it can generate, both on social and traditional platforms. By using a shared hashtag, #globalbookcrawl, we’re amplifying each bookshop’s voice on a global scale. This exposure can attract new customers, even those who might typically shop with large online retailers or department stores.
We invite Indian bookshops to benefit from this international exposure, potentially attracting local and travelling readers eager to discover new and unique shops. Plus, you’ll connect with other bookshops worldwide, sharing ideas and experiences, collaborating on future projects, or even finding a platform to unfold your projects globally.
Why it matters
In a world increasingly dominated by massive online retailers, indie bookshops are more essential than ever. They offer more than just books;they create community, connection, and discovery spaces. The Global Book Crawl is our way of spotlighting these spaces, encouraging people to rediscover the joy of browsing in-store and connecting with those who curate the shelves. While each event is local, we’re making a global impact together, proving the resilience and importance of independent bookshops.
So, if you’re a bookseller who wants to be part of something bigger while celebrating what makes your store special,whether you’re an indie bookshop in Mumbai, Delhi, or elsewhere in India, the Global Book Crawl is for you. We’d love to have you join us in April 2025. Let’s turn this into a global celebration, one local bookshop at a time. It’s simple, beautiful, and powerful.
Bookshops can easily join by registering on https://www.globalbookcrawl.org