Time and time again, I hear from readers that they prefer print books because they like to support their local book stores and they like to check eBooks out from the library. Thankfully you can do both using your eReader.

Using Google Books, you can buy digital editions of eBooks from thousands of different indie bookstores around the country including Powell’s Books in Portland, OR and Word in Brooklyn, NY.

To help you figure out how to shop for digital books at your local indie bookstores, GalleyCat has put together a list of tips. “1. Check the massive list of Independent Bookstores Selling Google eBooks. Find the store you want to support. Follow the store link to shop for eBooks. 2. Download the Google eBook reading app for your device. 3. If you have an Android-based mobile phone or tablet device, you can also download theIndiebound Reader for Android to read or add to your collection.”

You can use the OverDrive app to check out books from your local library.

I’ve just heard about an event tomorrow that could be a lot of fun. It hasn’t been widely publicized, but  tomorrow is Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day.

Bookstores in 35 states, 2 Canadian provinces, and even Australia and England will joining in the effort to help visiting kids find a book that they’ll like and which will help the kids develop a love of reading. I think this is a great reason to visit a bookstore tomorrow. It’s worth the trip.

Of course, my trip will be a lot shorter than most. I’ll turn on my computer, open a web browser, and go to Amazon. Bing-bang-boom.

No, that’s not what this day is for, but be honest. Your main bookstore is online, isn’t it? I suspect that’s true for most people, otherwise we wouldn’t need to have “Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day“. Fewer people shop in their local bookstore these days.

Joking aside, I actually have 2 bookstores nearby who are participating. OneMorePage Books is closest, so I would go there.

You can find out more, including a list of participating bookstores, on the Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day website.