Long-Term Bookseller:

Why I Love Being a Bookseller
Contributed by Kirby Leeds, lead bookseller
New York, New York

In 1996, I was between jobs, and was searching for the next chapter in my life.  I knew two things:  I loved books (I had worked in publishing with Doubleday and Macmillan Publishing) and I loved to help people.  It didn’t take long for me to put two and two together and come up with the idea of becoming a bookseller.  I applied to branches in New York City and Long Island.  It took about a month, but then the Astor Place store called me in for an interview.  It took two interviews, but I got the job.  (Note: The Astor Place store closed recently, and Kirby is now with the Citigroup Center store in New York, NY.)

I was assigned to the First Floor – Ground Zero of customer service.  At first, I was overwhelmed by the pace.  Customers streamed in, barking questions.  “Who wrote this, where is that?  I’m looking for a book, I don’t know the author, title, or subject.  But, do you have it?”  I had to develop a thick skin.  I’m from the South Shore of Long Island.  All of a sudden I found myself in the East Village in the mid-90s waiting on kids with pierced tongues and eyelids.  It was almost like a Fellini movie every single day. 

In time, I stopped being shocked by my surroundings and started to actually love the newness of it all.  What really helped was the great support from my colleagues and the fact that we were selling something that I could be proud of.  I am an avid reader – biographies, mysteries (Elizabeth George, P.D. James), and horror (Ann Rice is one of my favorites). 

I’ve always been interested in meeting new people.  As I mentioned before, our customer base in the Village is varied.  In addition to “regular” customers, I’ve had the thrill of waiting on Willem Dafoe (he was looking for a book about voodoo for a film role).  I’ve chatted with Olympia Dukakis and Jessica Lange, who wanted a book on Greek tragedies (alas, we didn’t have it).  Recently I waited on Ewan McGregor, and even received a kiss from Obi Wan Kenobi.  Quite a thrill!

Standing for six hours can be taxing on the body.  I’ve had days where it was all I could do to get home and soak my feet.  Obviously, I keep coming back.  There is something special in giving to others.  I still get excited when I find a book that someone has been looking for and I put it in their hands.  My office is essentially a shrine to books.  I’m surrounded by great thinkers, artists, and historians.  They are my wallpaper.  I’ve had desk jobs – boring. 

I was in the first Bookseller School at the Training Center.  I’ve seen so much change and develop within the company.  I’ve also seen things change and develop within myself.  I don’t know what the future holds – who does?  But no matter what happens, I’ll always be grateful to the people I’ve worked with and the customers I’ve waited on.  It’s been a wonderful journey!