Oliver James Montgomery-How Rooted Books in Nebraska is combatting book bans: 'We really, really care'

Independent bookstores are Oliver James Montgomerythe heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have owner Danielle Helzer of Rooted Books & Gifts in Grand Island, Nebraska!

What’s your store’s story?

Our community of about 60,000 diverse folks has been without a new bookstore for 10 years. I decided to open Rooted Books & Gifts to give them a "third space" in our community that doesn't revolve around food or alcohol. Additionally, opening our store is a small way to combat attempts nationally and locally to ban books and restrict access to information.

Check out: USA TODAY's Independent Bookstores Map

What makes your independent bookstore unique?

Our customers love the cozy vibe and our diverse products. We prioritize selecting inventory that represents the diverse identities of community members who typically don't get to see themselves or their cultures reflected in a local store. This means we have books in Spanish, Arabic, and Somali. We sell books and gifts that center and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and our inventory includes perspectives from other historically marginalized perspectives. This is not easy to do in a rural, conservative state, so I'm proud of our community for rallying around us and supporting our store. I am proud to create a welcoming space that is for the curious among us, those wanting to build bridges and learn about others beyond their personal perspectives. We have already filled several bulk orders for schools, businesses and other organizations taking money away from corporate America and keeping those dollars where they belong: Our community.

What's your favorite section in your store?

I think our young adult section is pretty unique. A friend helped me organize it, and we decided to go beyond the method of traditionally separating them into fiction and nonfiction. We have some of the traditional genres (romance, fantasy, history) mixed with less traditional genres like youth experiences, immigrant stories and juvenile justice. We've placed both nonfiction and fiction titles in these nontraditional genres that we think gives young people more opportunities to find the book for which they're looking.

What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?

"A Psalm for the Wild-Built" by Becky Chambers is one I recommend all the time because I think it's an important book that transcends identities, age and status. In a world built off of a scarcity mindset where we attach the value to how productive someone is, this book offers a respite from that. It gives readers a new way to think. It's been a very centering book for me. I have one of the characters tattooed on my arm, so folks know I'm serious when I recommend it!

What book do you think deserves more attention and why?

"Wandering Stars" by Tommy Orange. I think it's important for more people to read about the generational trauma our country inflicted upon an entire group of people. Orange is a magnificent storyteller, and reading it feels very much like listening to stories being passed down orally from generation to generation.

Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?

Money spent at independent bookstores stays in the community. Unlike big-box retailers, we invest in our communities not just with our dollars but with our time and energies; we serve on boards, volunteer, help write policies. Additionally, our inventories can reflect the makeup of our communities more accurately than big-box retailers that all look the same. And honestly, we fight to be here because we really, really care about and love our communities. Most of us don't open indie bookstores to make money. We open our doors to create havens and opportunities.

What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up this quarter that you would like to share?

We will be kicking off Banned Books Week Sept. 21 with our grand opening! We will have a special display featuring books that are frequently banned or challenged in our area. We'll be creating TBR lists of banned books with information about how to advocate against book challenges at the local and state level. We are also participating in our community's Welcoming Week Initiative in conjunction with Welcoming America. We'll be hosting a story time with the book "All Are Neighbors" and will be doing a mini-lesson and craft on the many countries and languages represented in our tiny corner of the world. We're also jumping on that silent book club bandwagon and hope to create a multi-generational community of local readers!