I can’t believe it’s been three weeks since we opened our doors here at Seymour’s Little Shop of Books. Feels like yesterday and years ago all at the same time. Seeing so many smiling faces, both from new people and those who have come in numerous times. I cannot tell you how much joy it brings to my life each and every time I hear that little bell of ours ring as the door opens.

From watching children flip through and giggle as their parents let them pick out as many books as they can (many of them reading long before they even get out the door), to the grownups (with hearts still young and full of stories) who have come in minutes after I open up to grab one of our newest releases; nothing has told me more about how blessed I have become to be able to open these doors to the community here in Mount Joy and beyond.

Since our opening, we have heard many of you speak and praise authors and stories that you love and enjoy. Discussions on genres, book bindings, and how you find ways to enjoy your stories in a life full of more distractions than ever. I listen to each and every one of you, and though I may not always be able to do something about what I hear, I take what I find to heart and do the best I can. So, below is a small start to a series listing new additions here at Seymour’s Little Shop of Books. Each one in hopes that it further helps you find and enjoy your next favorite story.

Libro.fm

I am a big fan of Libro.fm.

What is it?

For those of you who enjoy Audio books, you are probably aware of Audible. This is the #1 audio book service on the market and an arm of Amazon.

Libro.fm is different. They are an employee owned company dedicated to helping independent bookstores like us here at Seymour’s Little Shop of Books thrive in a world dominated by large corporations. What this means for you is that if you are interested in listening to audio books as your way of enjoying your favorite story, we here at the shop have teamed up with Libro.fm as a way to bring you those audio books.

Is this any different than Audible?

Other than it not being part of Amazon, the answer is Yes and No.

I’ll start with NO:

No, you will not have to change the current way you purchase audio books if you are accustomed to purchasing monthly credits. Libro.fm offers the exact same type of membership that allows you to purchase single credits or multiple credits based on your choice that you can redeem for audio books.

Libro.fm also allows you to purchase audio books as single purchases instead of a membership, and it also allows you to purchase credit bundles if you would rather do that than sign up for a monthly membership.

Now for the YES:

• Yes, Libro.fm is different in that it helps independent stores like myself instead of driving small businesses out of business to increase profits.
• Yes, Libro.fm is different in that regardless if you buy you credits through the membership or in bundles, your credits never expire. If you save up several unused credits, but then decide that you need to pause or stop your membership, your credits are still yours to use.
  • Audible removes credits after a set amount of time, where Libro.fm they are yours to keep.
• Yes, Libro.fm is different in that the audio books you purchase are yours to keep. What does this mean? Audiobooks that you purchase through them come DRM-free.
  • DRM (Digital Rights Management) is how electronic items are locked to specific devices and accounts. The audiobooks you get from them is DRM free so they are yours to keep and move from device to device if you need to so that you can listen to them how you choose. No more being locked a specific app just to listen to something you purchased.

These are only some of the ways that Libro.fm helps support both our community and your new favorite store here in Mount Joy. There are many different things we have going on here at Seymour’s Little Shop of Books and this is only the first in a small series of blog posts where I will continuously update you on what is happening. Another big thing that I will be doing is letting you know what I am listening to or reading so that if you feel inclined to come in and chat about it, I am all ears here behind the counter with a big smile.

So, not keeping a secret, my current listen on Libro.fm is…..

59 Minutes Audiobook | Libro.fm

59 Minutes by Holly Seddon.

We actually have this book here in the store for purchase as well as available on Libro.fm.

Thanks to you all,

Bill Seymour 😀