Coordinated by the association of independent bookstores of Nouvelle-Aquitaine (LINA), “Young people in bookstores” is based on the commitment of numerous partners: the DRAC, the regional council, departmental councils and educational establishments.
Allow 12-17 year olds to discover independent bookstores
The system consists of connecting a class of middle school, high school students or apprentices and an independent bookstore. It opens with an initial period of classroom discussions where students discover the different links in the book chain and in particular the essential role of the independent bookstore.
Aware of the book economy and the diversity of editorial production, the students then visit the bookstore. Thanks to a voucher financed by the program partners, they acquire a book, the choice of which is informed by the joint support of the teacher and the bookseller. For some young people, this is their first visit to a bookstore.
Born 20 years ago at the initiative of the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) of the former Aquitaine, “Young people in bookstores” was generalized at the national level in 2021 as part of the France Relance plan. With the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of National Education, this generalization is part of the public policy framework in favor of reading, which has become a major national cause.
