Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Peck.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Books have always been a passion of mine, whether as a reader, collector, or seller. For many years I have written stories, essays, and reviews for several print and online magazines and journals, as well as the author of a published novel.
Shortly after moving to Oregon, I started an online rare book business that ran for a few years. Since then, I’ve been collecting antiquarian and first edition volumes, and have continued with my writing. After a brief stint as a legal assistant, I found the perfect bookish home when I was brought on by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library to manage their nonprofit BOOKtique.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As anyone who serves in the nonprofit sector can tell you, obstacles and challenges come in many forms and from unexpected avenues. Obstacles can be as simple as being unable to locate a certain book for a customer to contending with significant leaking at one of our locations, and everything in between.
In my capacities as manager of the BOOKtique, I oversee approximately 50-60 volunteers, allotting tasks, comping up with displays, and scheduling. We have two physical locations in Lake Oswego and a website. Additionally, we sell on Amazon, eBay, and Abebooks. Branched out in that way, challenges and obstacles are bound to crop up. Our team of volunteers, however, are more than equipped to handle them when they do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As manager of the BOOKtique, my tasks are varied, exciting, and fun. I oversee our two locations, carting books from one to the other, handle our website and the other online platforms on which we sell. Having come from a rare book background, I have made rare books a feature of our story.
We receive amazing donations from amazing patrons. Often, these include some high-end signed books, desirable first editions, limited editions, and lots of other goodies. Of course this wouldn’t be possible without the Lake Oswego community’s dedication to helping us fulfill our mission to fund many library programs and events.
Pricing:
- 3.00
- 4.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thebooktique.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/booktiquelakeoswego/
- Other: https://www.ebay.com/str/booktiquelopl
