In a stunning, heartwarming show of civic pride, more than 300 citizens of Chelsea lined up to hold hands across Main Street. Together, they carried 9,100 books from the old home of Serendipity Books to its new building only a block away. The whole book brigade—about thirty of us—took less than two hours to get the job done. It made for a fun and effective way to move the titles—even more so because everybody present played a key role in the bookstore’s transition.
On this sunny, warm afternoon, the scene on the sidewalk crackling with volunteers’ enthusiasm. They literally passed each book, one by one, straight onto its new store’s shelf. Michelle Tuplin, the owner of Serendipity Books since 2017, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. The bookstore, an impacts adored fixture in Chelsea since 1997, is reopening torching new place within a fortnight.
Tuplin reminisced about the buzz that came with the transition. “It became so buzzy in town. So many people wanted to help,” she said. The collaborative effort not only facilitated the physical relocation of books but highlighted the strong social fabric of Chelsea.
Local resident and participant in the book brigade Kaci Friss had this to add about her town’s close-knit nature. “It’s a small town and people just really look out for each other,” she remarked. Friss spoke of how experiences with known faces are the norm, adding to the comfort of community. “Anywhere you go, you are going to run into someone you know or who knows you, and is going to ask you about your day.”
The successful implementation of the book brigade stands as a testament to the unity and caring spirit of Chelsea’s residents. Human bookworms, they lined up on both sides of Main Street with members of the community running books over with great enthusiasm. Simultaneously, they built community relationships, showing how transforming neighborhoods through civic action can make a big difference.