Bookends & Beginnings in Chicago’s North Shore university town of Evanston seeks an experienced Used Book Buyer. Our store carries primarily new books, but we are seeking help to expand our current program that buys customers’ used books for store credit. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working as a general bookseller but will also have the depth of knowledge and expertise in used book buying, to be a secondary staffer who is primarily responsible for scheduling buybacks, and also occasionally assessing full collections offsite for their potential. This candidate would also have experience listing used books for sale online. Rare/antiquarian expertise is not required. We also look for a friendly customer-service demeanor and a positive, entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset.

Daily Activities:

• Customer service at the front register and other stations, in person, by phone, and via email
• Processing online orders
• Pulling books for return
• Shelving books accurately and grooming sections on ongoing basis
• Coordinate with other used book buyer in conducting used book buys with individual customers by appointment
• Other general bookseller activities

Requirements:

• Love of books and love of talking about books
• Positive attitude: Friendly, approachable, professional, comfortable on a team, oriented toward problem-solving and brainstorming.
• Ability to master POS system and other programs we depend on to keep the store functioning
• Ability to lift 40 lb boxes
• Willingness to commit to a regular permanent work schedule (i.e. we cannot accommodate seasonally changing student schedules and vacations)
• Willingness to work at least one weekend day. Also, though we have been closing at 6 pm during the pandemic, we will eventually revert to longer/later hours and will expect the willingness to work some later shifts and some evening events.

Experience we are especially looking for:

• Sufficient historical knowledge of books and authors to assess whether a used book will be saleable to our customer base.
• Demonstrated experience with used book buying and listing used books for sale online

Compensation/Benefits

We offer competitive pay, two weeks paid vacation, 8 days paid store holidays, paid sick time, 401K plan and health insurance stipend available after an initial wait period.

About the store: Opened in June 2014, Bookends & Beginnings has established itself as a major presence in Chicago’s independent bookstore community. Our newly relocated store at 1620 Orrington carries new, used, and vintage books, gift and stationery offerings. We regularly hold both in-person and virtual author events and frequently partner with organizations in Evanston and the great Chicago area.

Bookends & Beginnings is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create a kind, safe, and welcoming space where everyone is treated equally, fairly, and thoughtfully, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. We value the diversity of identities and experiences our staffers bring to our store because they enrich the selection of books we carry and the conversations that we conduct. We expect that everyone - booksellers and customers alike - uphold these standards online and in our shared physical space.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Experience:

• bookselling: 1 year (Preferred)
• used bookbuying: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Evanston, IL 60201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person