Independent bookstores play a crucial role in their neighborhoods. They foster culture and community, create local jobs, contribute to tax revenue, encourage literacy and learning, highlight new and diverse writers, and provide personal connections between readers and books while promoting the freedom to read and access to literature.

Each week, we spotlight a unique independent bookstore, showcasing what sets them apart and their favorite book suggestions.

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

What inspired you to open your store?

In a community of about 60,000 people, there hasn’t been a new bookstore for the past decade. I opened Rooted Books & Gifts to provide a “third space” for citizens to gather that isn’t centered around food or alcohol. Our store aims also to counteract localized and national efforts to ban books and limit access to information.

What makes your bookstore special?

Customers are drawn to our warm atmosphere and our varied offerings. We focus on curating stock that reflects the diverse identities of community members, especially those often overlooked in local retail. This includes literature in Spanish, Arabic, and Somali, as well as books and gifts that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and other historically marginalized voices. It’s a challenge in a rural, conservative setting, and I’m proud of our community for supporting us. I strive to create an open space for those eager to learn about others beyond their own experiences. We’ve successfully filled numerous bulk orders for schools and businesses, ensuring that our community benefits before corporate giants do.

What is your favorite section in the bookstore?

I believe our young adult section is distinctive. With help from a friend, we organized it differently, blending genres typically found in separate categories like fiction and nonfiction. We feature traditional categories like romance and fantasy, alongside unique ones capturing youth experiences, immigrant narratives, and juvenile justice. This combined approach allows young readers to find books that resonate with them more easily.

Which book do you frequently recommend and why?

I often recommend “A Psalm for the Wild-Built” by Becky Chambers. This book is significant as it appeals to people across various backgrounds, ages, and statuses. It challenges the scarcity mindset of our society that equates a person’s worth with their productivity. It offers readers a refreshing perspective and has personally been grounding for me—I even have a character tattooed on my arm to show how passionate I am about this recommendation!

Which book do you believe deserves more recognition?

“Wandering Stars” by Tommy Orange. It’s vital for a wider audience to engage with the generational trauma faced by a significant group in our nation. Orange is an incredible storyteller, and reading this book feels akin to experiencing tales shared across generations.

Why is it important to shop at local, independent bookstores?

Funds spent at independent bookstores help sustain the community. Unlike large retail chains, we reinvest not only financially but also through our involvement, serving on boards and engaging in volunteer work. Moreover, our selections often more accurately reflect our community’s diversity. We strive to exist because we genuinely care for our neighborhoods. Many of us start indie bookstores not merely for profit but to create welcoming spaces and opportunities.

What upcoming events, programs, or partnerships do you want to promote?

We will kick off Banned Books Week starting September 21 with our grand opening! A special display will highlight frequently banned or challenged titles in our area. We will create recommended reading lists of banned books with information on how to oppose book censorship locally and statewide. We’re also collaborating with our community’s Welcoming Week Initiative in partnership with Welcoming America, hosting a story time featuring “All Are Neighbors” along with a mini-lesson and craft to highlight the various countries and languages represented in our community. Plus, we’re excited to join the silent book club trend!

We aspire to establish a vibrant, multi-generational community of local readers!