VOLUNTEER COLLECTIVE SINCE 1979 - BOULDER, COLORADO
All volunteer, not-for-profit, progressive bookstore
providing access to alternative viewpoints
and difficult-to-obtain sources
of information
December 14, 2007
SUSTAINING LEFT HAND BOOKS
The Problem: LHB is in no immediate danger of closing! However, we have had a cushion -- money that was put into a savings account when our expenses were lower and we had more income from course book sales (in part due to orders from CU profs who have since been fired by the university!). We had about $12,000 in that account, but the money has gradually been used to pay bills, and this Fall dropped to $4,000. Obviously, if we continue in this way the cushion will soon be used up and the existence of the store will be jeopardized.
Solutions:
1. The collective will be more active in trying to bring customers into the store. We have discussed various ideas and these will be implemented. You obviously can help in this by patronizing the store yourself and encouraging your friends, neighbors, and colleagues to do the same.
2. Many people have said that they regard LHB as a valuable asset for the community. The collective considered sending out an appeal for sustaining funds.
Instead, we would like to ask that if you value the store you consider joining the LHB Associate Member program, in which you make a donation to the store and become eligible for a 10% discount on almost all purchases (or you can forego the discount to further support the store.) Membership is $10 per year for low income folks, $25 or more per year for the rest of us. If you wish to make a regular monthly donation of $5 or more, we will send you e-mail reminders.
If just 200 supporters join the program at the $25 per year level (just $0.48 per week), the store would gain more than $400 per month, which would go far to ease our financial worries. Money from such memberships will be deposited into the savings account, to help restore our "cushion."
A membership form is here, in pdf format. Please print it, fill it out, include your donation, and bring it to the store (where donations can also be made by visa or master card) or mail it to:
Left Hand Books
1200 Pearl St. #10
Boulder, CO 80302
January 6, 2008
Sustaining Left Hand Books: a report back:
Many of Left Hand's supporters were sent an appeal explaining that Left Hand has required funds in addition to what the store brings in through normal operations, in order to continue operation. These supplemental funds had been coming from a savings account, money put aside when expenses were lower and text sales, in particular, higher. This fund had gradually dwindled to about $4000, and the collective was worried about the long-term future of the store.
In response to the appeal for those who value the store to step forward and become Left Hand Associate Members, 29 of you took out new memberships or renewed in December, and a total of $825 was added to our saving account! In addition, hopefully in response to our request that you patronize the store, sales for December were a little less than $10,000 -- the second best December for the last 5 years!
We need to continue adding to the savings account so that we will be able to use the money when needed. If the expenses of the holiday season prevented you from responding to the appeal, please consider becoming an member now. An application form is attached to the bottom of this document. Also, reminders have been sent to those whose memberships have lapsed.
Thanks for showing that you appreciate Left Hand (and for justifying the volunteers' efforts in keeping the store going) by means of your support and patronage!
The Left Hand Collective
Who
we are :: Membership :: How
to Volunteer :: LHB
Events :: New
Titles at LHB :: Ordering by Phone
Left Hand Books is now taking orders by phone!
Left Hand Books
1200 Pearl Street #10
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 443-8252
Open Monday-Saturday 10am to 9pm & Sunday 12pm to 6pm