Posted by Rudy Reyes Jr., Director

For the next ten weeks, my more than 200 co-workers and I will be celebrating the very best of one another through each of Better World Books' core values. To get things started, the Antiquarian, Rare, and Collectable Books Team performed an original composition by cataloguer Carol Devorkin entitled "I Am ARC" a story told from the perspective of the many books we are privileged to handle each and every day. I thought that I'd share it with the extended BWB Family and invite you to join us in ♥ing books.

The following is a copy of the email Geoff and I wrote to some betterworld.com customers:

Pre-Order "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" for $9.98 w/Free Shipping Muggles and Wizards, current members and alumni of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin students of light magic, dark magic, or just plain-old algebra (magical in its way), we have an announcement: You can now pre-order Beedle the Bard at Better World Books. That's right; Beedle the Bard , the same book Dumbledore gives Hermoine to study, the same book that Harry uses to defeat Lord Voldemort, the same book that every wizard in training knows as well as the story of Goldilocks, is for sale now on the website.  You read "The Tale of the Three Brothers" in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," but now you can look through the four other tales in Beedle the Bard.  Get a hold on what could be the last book in the Harry Potter series! Sorry, we currently can't accept anything from Gringotts, only credit cards and PayPal.

Brisingr Think Harry Potter is for the kids?  Feel like taking on a tougher beast? Brisingr is Christopher Paolini's followup to the very popular Eragon and Eldest.  This 700+ page tome stars wizards, dragons, elves, dwarves and myriad other mythical creatures, and is sure to satiate your desire for a great fantasy book. Paolini began writing the series when he was 15 and wrote one-third of the latest book with a quill and parchment ( we kid you not). Check the rest of his titles here.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

Courtesy of Network admin, Nate, enjoy this YouTube video of co-founder Xavier getting a pie to the face (and some silly string) during a company presentation in South Bend from COO/co-founder Kreece.  Happy 30th birthday, X!

Posted by Rudy Reyes Jr., Director

In the course of our days in the Antiquarian, Rare, and Collectable Books (ARC) section at Better World Books, we come across a number of gems and treasures. At least once a day, one of our bibliographers or cataloguers will excitedly share the latest and greatest tomes to come our way. I suppose one could liken it to Christmas morning: each box that we open is sure to contain a delight, though unknown until the moment it is revealed.

When I was a young child, I recall an oft-heard response from my mother: “I’ll believe it when I see it.” While she was mostly referring to my empty promises to clean up my room, practice the piano, or finish my homework, I usually find myself expressing that same sentiment when one of our ARC team members describes the latest ‘find’. Sure enough, once I see it, I am in awe.

We’ve taken that adage to heart and, for the last 8 months, have been putting a number of finer items up for public inspection on eBay. I know, I know, eBay?! It wasn’t until I obtained some obscure items for my personal collection of ecclesiastical history on eBay that I really became a believer. There are lots of advantages to eBay: a plethora of images, unlimited text descriptions, an open forum for Q&A, not to mention lots of exposure for obscure items and open-market competition. We’ve found such great success there that we have hired a full-time ARC Specialist with a focus on the eBay market.

So far, ARC’s presence on the eBay marketplace has connected a collector of antique Chinese drawings with an extensive collection of rare facsimiles. It has found a home for a hand-made collection of Walt Whitman photographs and a volume of plates from medieval Gospel books. And, it significantly augmented the collection of one researcher with the addition of facsimiles of the Washington Manuscript of the Minor Prophets in the Freer Collection and the Berlin Fragment of the Book of Genesis to his private collection. And, lest you think that all that we offer is from dusty and little known nooks of libraries, we’ve also been known to list limited edition prints of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, along with collectable editions of Popular Mechanics, TIME, and Harper’s Monthly – ok, ok, and a few MAD magazines and comic books as well.

While we will continue to list our entire ARC collection on BetterWorld.com – now more than 60,000 items – be sure to visit our eBay auctions and store where you will find some of the more interesting items that just have to been seen to be appreciated.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

You've heard of them, Jordan's Bulls, Montana's 49ers, Gretzky's Oilers, Bird's Celtics, Magic's Lakers, the teams that any player hates to play because they know the odds are against them because that other team of stars is going to play all out until the buzzer sounds.  At Riverfest in Niles Michigan, in the Dragon Boat Races, the town of Niles is that team.  Reaping both the benefits of home [river] advantage and a team comprised of grizzly veterans and new rising talent, the deck was stacked against any competition.  Niles is known for both experienced play and a solid farm system, bringing refined talent to the adult level from the highly competitive youth races.  The Niles High School Band would hold up that dominance in the youth league, but in the adult race, change was in the air.



Better World Books came to Riverfest to sell books and engage in a great festival, they came to put a creatively designed float in the water, but most of all they came to win.  Like a rookie in battle who is too ignorant to know to fear a war champion, Better World Books was the lowly infantry man to Niles' Achilles; but unlike the lofty Greek, Niles had no perceivable weakness.  Better World Books would have to simply be the better team.



Murmurs spread around the festival all day of a young upstart team, made up of heart and absolutely no talent whatsoever, a bookish crowd with warehouse tans that would take on the Olympic level competition of the iron-fisted Niles crowd.  Could the tiny Better World Books boat stand against the wrath of the Dragon Boat embodiment of Posiedon himself?



The race started close, jitters clearly affecting Better World Books as the Viking like warriors of Niles stroked even and true.  But slowly something changed.  Cows lay down when it is going to rain--they just feel it in the air and react--so when all of the kids stopped playing and went to watch the river, the prescience of the youth was palpable; victory would be a cruel mistress today.

Only a few meters left, rowing beyond their own abilities, infused with the spirit of Michael Phelps, the scrappy squad of ARC stud, Jorge Fragoso, Howard Roark-esque architect Jaime Knabet, superstar receiver, Javier Castro and hard hitting Maintenance standout David Sherwood were joined by the husband and wife Majerek in an epic throwdown.   Also, Better World Books saw promise in a few Niles folks who were left off the famed squad.  It was those few crew members, the rejects, who had become the proverbial cornerstones of the squad.  With this group they would stand strong, crushing through the ripples of the river and the mighty approach of the heroes of Niles, Michigan.


Better World Books: Ballerific

Life moves on, and as Herodotus said, "You can never step in the same river twice."  Jordan has retired and Montana is in the booth, and Niles, Michigan is left scratching their heads as to how a small upstart company came in and simultaneously sold books while taking the checkered flag at their own flagship event.  Will they ever recover or are the nouveau riche of the Dragon Boat circuit set to become the next giants of the Mitten State scene?  Only time will tell, but the pantheon of great teams will truly never be the same.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

Check out this latest bit of press about Better World Books’ own, Jaime Knabet.  Mind you that if you can’t read Spanish then you may need to find a bilingual friend (Jaime is from Chile and this article is from the “New York Times” level paper in Santiago).  That being said, it’s great to get some cool press abroad and it’s also great to see Jaime get some press as the man is flat out talented.  If you’ve ever seen us live at the Green Festivals you’ve seen his tables built of books and various architectural pursuits, and if you’ve bought a book from us you’re indebted to his commitment to crazy new ideas and progress, so now enjoy reading a bit about him.

Jaime is 33, moving back to Chile (we’re all wiping away the tears, seriously), he’s an architect by trade but a warehouse manager by day and, sorry ladies, he’s happily married to his lovely wife Pia (who also works at Better World Books and is a total business rockstar) and has two kids, Victoria and Benjamin (who are obviously training to become book nerds at BWB as well).

Congrats, Jaime!

Posted by Angela Williams, Account Representative

While speaking with clients I am constantly blindsided with questions such as “what goes on at the warehouse, about how many books are stored in your warehouse”, etc... the list goes on! Before my trip to Mishawaka, I would inform clients that (unfortunately) I had never visited the Better World Books warehouse. So the actual process of picking, shipping, and receiving books was a total blur.  However, since I have actually worked hands-on at the warehouse, I am very comfortable with answering questions about how the work is carried out.  Everyone at the warehouse was friendly and very patient with us newbies (a.k.a the Atlanta office). Also, the Trade Show was awesome!  Everyone received the opportunity to share great facts and ideas about each department. After learning this information, I am able to implement this knowledge into my daily Account Rep. responsibilities. When you know better, you do better!

Let me not forget to mention my community service project! I was able to work with the Literacy Council of St. Joseph County shelving books and toys for kids all around.  This organization is dedicated to breaking the cycle of illiteracy amongst adults and children.  Both this organization and Better World Books hold a lot in common, which is why it was so important to volunteer for this organization and demonstrate my appreciation for their hard work by devoting my time to assist them in any way possible.

Since the field trip to the warehouse, I feel more well-rounded as an employee of Better World Books and as an individual. I can’t wait to see you guys again!!  Woohoo!

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

For your Better World Books shrine (or for your dartboard if you're the person that keeps vandalizing our Wikipedia page (I promise we weren't named after a planet in a video game and we're not an off-shore publicly traded company... sigh)), here is the latest photo of all the Better World Books employees at the Green House (save my boss, who was gallivanting about Florida or some such thing (just kidding, please don't make me clean the office again)):

Posted by Maura Varian, (Queen of) Acquisition Support

On June 19th, BWB wrapped up their week of annual meetings. This is a time where all employees meet at the warehouse and review the past fiscal year and make plans and goals for the following year. It is a long week of collaboration, discussion, learning, and sharing.

We wanted to do something that would sum up all the wonderful things we discussed throughout the week and emphasize our spirit of team work, and community involvement. In an effort to follow our hearts and do something that makes a difference but at the same time challenge us and be enjoyed, we decided to spend the 19th as the first ever company wide BWB Community Outreach Day!

(Casey, head of Pricing, taking "Outreach" a little too seriously)

Locally, our offices in NY, GA, and CA have done things in their respective communities. We here at the warehouse have also become more involved with the community through green festivals and literacy groups, but we had never done something to this large a scale. We opened up the activities to anyone that wanted to join. With over 100 employees and 5 different destinations, it was a logistical challenge to say the least. However, we had the most perfect weather, local school buses to transport us around, and wonderful organizations to join. It is amazing what you can get done, when everyone pitches in!

Over 100 employees from the warehouse, Georgia, California, New York, Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, and Pennsylvania joined in the fun (full story and photos after the jump)...

Posted by David Hoffman, Freight Coordinator

BWB gave birth today to a new baby boy!!  Roy the bookmobile was born at 9:35 am on June 25th.  He was born at a 12 foot 1 Inches high and 9 foot 8 inches wide.  He is a beautiful baby boy!!  We are not wasting anytime with Roy’s first steps because we are putting Roy on the road for the first time on Friday.
 
Let me be the first to say congrats to BWB and may Roy the Bookmobile live a long and healthy life!

Roy and his new family

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or "Green House" as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.


Mr. LaGrou showing how we solve disputes concerning process decisions at Better World Books

Before the climactic scene in "Almost Famous" (in which they sing "Tiny Dancer" on the bus, legendary scene) they carry the guitarist, Russell, onto the bus.  The manager says, in his almost British lilt "Ladies and gentlemen, the evening is over.  We hope you've enjoyed yourselves, and we'll See you again in 1974!! Good evening!!"  The bus doors close and the rest is a come down from the insanity of the previous days, which is an apt comparison after the non-stop action of Better World Books week.  Our shirts say "I survived BWB Week 2008" but some people made the adjustment "I almost survived..." and that was probably more accurate.  Hitting the books and then unwinding is quite a task...

So it was on Friday, as people slowly filed out after a spectacular presentation and a group photo that is sure to have some fine lookin' individuals in it with our  new Better World Books shirts.  One by one cars filtered off to Midway (gotta love Southwest Airlines!  Also, loving Midway, the expert traveler line was fantastic and the sandwich shop hits the spot) and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say sleep was had and relief was enjoyed.

As usual, these events can't come soon enough and there are so many updates I'm scouring my notebook trying to keep you posted, that's going to have to come in another email, blowing up with awesome.

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or "Green House" as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.

"It's business, it's business tiiiime."  OK, so we didn't have Flight of the Conchords, but what we did have was some ideas that are going to blow your doors off, no question.  We've got great new moves happening with new ways to get books and new ways to get money for our partners.  Further we'll be working on more ways to maximize your savings, getting you better books, cheaper.  More updates on those things as we roll them out (OK, I'll tell you before anyone else, but sssshhhhh)

Yesterday we spent tons of time in department meetings and then had updates between departments and to suggest that people are excited really doesn't scratch the surface.  However, fatigue after a week of meetings was setting in, so last night we had to unwind.  After checking out a new surprise (can't tell you yet, I want to so bad but I can't!) we rocked karaoke including a rousing "Under the Bridge" from founder Xavier, a dominant (and prize winning) performance from Brad, and most notably instead of "The Online Bookstore with a Soul" the Atlanta office made sure we were "The Online Bookstore with Soul."  Perfect.  After I rocked a Jay-Z track (I've got 99 problems but a blog ain't one...) we were off.

Today we had a day of service that was simply awesome.  I'll let Rudy write about it and show you his photo taking prowess later in the week...

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or "Green House" as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.

Sorry about the title, I think I've been watching too much "Wheel of Fortune" so the "Before and After" thing was in my head...  In any event, let me explain:

When I was hired, eons ago Abby Rae LaCombe (current Rocky Mountain + Canada RD) and I cruised to the Green House and were instructed in the ways of the force, errrr book acquisitions and company policies.  But also, to make sure we understood the challenges of working in the warehouse we spent a day scanning books (a monumental task, each person here scans 110-160 per hour!) and sorting heavy boxes, and let me tell you, I was sore afterwards.  Coming back and seeing "job sharing" on the schedule I was slightly concerned for how I'd feel like an old man tomorrow trying to get myself out of bed. 

After getting out we were ready for fresh air and rolled over to the local park with refreshments and a grill, but most importantly, large red balls for KICKBALL!  The showdowns were fierce, the refreshments were cold and seeing everyone was fantastic.  After I was assaulted by a young assassin with a water gun and schooled on the kickball field (notice the picture below, who hurts their shoulder playing kickball???  I seriously must suck), I decided it was time to stick to the grill area and engage in Better World Books #1 out-of-work pastime, ultimate frisbee.

It feels good to be back "home," if only for a week.  Burning the candle at both ends... commence!



(The Acquisitions Team (Atlanta, represent!) fresh off drinking the company kool-aid in the veritable "War Room," emails and calls their contacts, furiously trying to get books in)

Posted by Jack Hanlon, CBO & Evangelist

This week will be reports and pictures from the Better World Books Warehouse (or "Green House" as we know it) in South Bend as we conduct our yearly meeting week.

To see a well-oiled machine do its job is truly a marvel.  It sounds cliche, perhaps it sounds like a vacuous statement when were so inundated with machinery and technology in our own lives from iPhones to disposals to a little hot water in the shower, but the fact remains that there's something about a fine tuned apparatus that catches the eye and the imagination.

The Green House presented two great versions of this to me today.  On one hand, I saw the packaging machine, which is pretty mesmerizing.  It takes thousands of orders each day and cranks them out under the careful supervision of a number of finely trained employees.  It's definitely a unique sight (that I've included below for your enjoyment).

But more amazing is how we've created a system incorporating ideas from Toyota's and Motorola's plants referred to in the business world as "Six Sigma."  I won't get into the specifics but I have to say watching the whole warehouse work is amazing.  Hundreds of people working as the proverbial bees in the hive--and let me tell you the Green House buzzes--each with individual tasks all working together to get you your books, as fas as possible, as cheap as we can and in the best condition that we can offer.



West Coast Director, Natasha Harris, looking regal as per usual