PBX volunteers, PBX organizers Tony and Kisten Giglio, Commerce Chenango President and CEO Kerri Green, City of Norwich Mayor Brian Doliver, Willow Primitives owner Tabitha Eccleston, Cottage Bakery owner Kate Tefft, and CCHS Executive Director Jessica Moquin at the Paperback Exchange ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, April 23. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Paperback Exchange (PBX) has officially set up shop in Creative Works, located at 17-19 South Broad Street in Norwich, after nearly two decades of residing in the Chenango County Historical Society and Museum (CCHS).

“We are so very grateful for the nearly two-decades that PBX has served patrons on our museum campus,” said CCHS Executive Director Jessica Moquin. “As a beloved community resource, this relocation to a more central venue – with higher visibility, greater accessibility, larger storage space, extended open hours, and increased traffic – is ideally suited for the bookstore’s long-term sustainability.”

PBX will align with the hours of Willow Primitive and The Cottage Bakery, also located within Creative Works, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

On Saturday, April 23, PBX held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the move, as well as World Book Day, an event created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Book Day is an annual affair meant to promote reading, publishing, and copyright.

The ribbon cutting ceremony also served as the establishment of a new partnership between PBX and the Chenango Foundation, who will manage the store's finances.

“The Chenango Foundation is proud of the work that we do as a vehicle for community development projects,” said Commerce Chenango President and CEO Kerri Green. “This is a wonderful example of collaboration that will enhance the entire community.”

The Paperback Exchange is a book trade-in service that allows area residents to turn in their used, paperback fiction books for store credit toward purchases of other used books supplied by PBX. According to new PBX Coordinator Kisten Giglio, books are sold at 50 percent of the cover price, with any books over $10 priced at $5.

Those looking to turn in their used paperbacks will receive 25 percent of the cover price in store credit, or $2.50 for books priced over $10. The credit can be used to purchase more books from PBX, or donated for future visitors to the store.

The Paperback Exchange has an expansive shelving area with designated sections for various genres. There is also a reading area stocked with children's books, as well as a small table, bean bag chair, and rocking chair.

"We are very interested in growing our children's section and will provide store credit for these books as well. We will accept hard cover books for children up to about five years old," said Giglio. "We have great space for children and parents to read together, color, or work on some puzzles."

Getting the space set up was a collaborative effort, according to Giglio. She said assistance with packing and moving books to the new store was provided by volunteers from Chenango Health Network's The PULSE/Reality Check; the Colgate University Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE); NBT; and the Norwich High School Varsity Swim Team.

Volunteers from several other organizations helped with building shelves, painting, reshelving books, and other setup efforts.

"The move to our new location was truly a community effort," said Giglio. "Students in the BOCES carpentry class built new shelf units, which were then painted by Bainbridge Guilford students in the Liberty Partnership Program and seniors working on community service hours."

"The Chenango County Historical Society's Wednesday Work Crew played a significant role in helping out throughout the entire process. Their craftsmanship and knowledge were a true asset," she continued. "Numerous Paperback Book Exchange volunteers worked countless hours reshelving the books and preparing the new space. We are grateful for the many individuals who donated items to help give our new location a warm atmosphere, making it the perfect place to sit down, relax, and enjoy a good book."

Additionally, Giglio said Cottage Bakery owner Kate Tefft and Willow Primitives owner Tabitha Eccleston have been "so welcoming and patient as we made this transition. Their guidance and support mean the world to us."

The PBX is run entirely by volunteers, and the group is looking for more people who would like to help out. To learn more about volunteering at PBX, message the Paperback Exchange Facebook page, or call 607-316-0999.

"We are excited to be working with everyone on this new venture," said Giglio. "Community members and potential volunteers are encouraged to reach out to us with any questions or ideas ... We'd love to have new volunteers on our team."