|
|||||||||
Old Harbor Books
Old Harbor Books in Sitka is an independent bookstore that takes the term "independent" seriously. The store was formed in 1976 by a group of devoted book lovers, most of whom are still serving on the board.
The people at the store make it a point to get involved in community issues. Although Muller knows not everyone in town agrees with his personal views he says, "I think a lot of people respect it when a business takes a strong position." Old Harbor Books' employees are not necessarily environmental activists, but they appreciate the store's strong connection with the community. "We donate to everything and have a window full of posters advertising everything that happens in town. Sports, academics, non-profits, arts, and on and on," says bookseller Carol Spurling. "It shows that we support diversity of opinions and people. That's what I hope Sitkans appreciate about the bookstore." Old Harbor is a general book store specializing in Alaskana, Native American and Alaska Native, children's books, ecology, travel, natural history, philosophy, and, of course, nautical books. Old Harbor gladly fills special orders and conducts out-of-print searches.
Old Harbor Books will be celebrated this fall by national publisher Gibbs Smith, which features an independent bookstore on the cover of every catalog. A sales representative from California, who has been coming to Old Harbor Books for many years, nominated the store because, as Muller says, "he thought we were one of the best independents he had seen. He thought we carried good books, important books, not just the ones that were best sellers." |
|||||||||
 
Bookstore Features
Bookstore Guide
|
|||||||||
One of the owners and managers, Don Muller, is a chemist who originally moved to Sitka to work for the pulp mill, but found that he could not abide what the mill was doing there. Since then he has not been afraid to speak out on behalf of the environment. "This is not a neutral sort of place," Muller says.
The people at Old Harbor Books have also taken a strong leadership position in the arts. All four founding members of The Island Institute, including Muller, have worked at the bookstore. Muller says the love of literature which led to the birth of Sitka's only bookstore also inspired the Sitka Summer Symposium. Once a year Sitka hosts writers to come and talk about community, books, and writing, to do readings and lead panel discussions.