UK bookselling has an inclusive culture, according to more than half (58%) of respondents to the Booksellers Association’s membership workforce survey. The vast majority of booksellers also reported feeling included and respected in a work environment where they could be themselves.
The survey was conducted between October 2023 and early January 2024, collecting data from 275 booksellers from 158 bookshops, representing a much better turnout than last year.
“In its second year, the BA Member Workforce Survey is essential in our journey towards diversifying bookselling and attracting and representing booksellers from all demographics and communities,” says Meryl Holz, Managing Director of the Booksellers Association. “Including EA, this information will help us assess and address issues around barriers to access and representation, so that careers in bookselling are open to people from the widest possible range of backgrounds as well as ensuring booksellers already in the industry can thrive.”
The number of booksellers who identify as a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth rose 1% from last year to 8%. This is a relatively high percentage, as this category represents 1% of the total population, according to census data. However, this number was the same for participants who identified as from ethnic minority groups – 8% from 7% the previous year – and is less representative, with ethnic minorities making up 18% of the population.
Women make up the majority of the bookselling workforce, but numbers are down on the previous year – with 68% of participants identifying as female today compared to 71% in 2022.
People with disabilities and long-term health conditions make up 28% of participants this year, compared to 18% of the population, while 24% identify as neurodiverse — also up from the population figure, which stands at 15%, according to ACAS. Furthermore, almost a third of booksellers (32%) said they suffer from mental health issues, while Mind suggests this figure is closer to one in six in the general population.
Bookselling remains an attractive second career for professionals from a variety of backgrounds, with 64% of respondents saying they have a professional background – up from 59% in 2022 and compared to 37% of the population, according to the Social Mobility Commission. Finally, 13% of respondents said they attended a fee-paying independent school, compared to the Sutton Trust and Social Mobility Commission saying 7% of the population.
“From this year’s statistics, we can continue to be proud that bookselling remains a de facto safe space for many demographics, from LGBTQ booksellers, to those with neurological conditions, disabilities, or long-term health or mental conditions,” Holz said. term.” “It is positive to see that more booksellers view the overall culture of the bookselling industry as inclusive, but we must take better steps to improve the representation of booksellers from minority groups, and continue to make progress on our commitments to diversity and inclusion.”
Ben Runcorn, COO at EA Inclusion, added: “It's great to see the Library of Alexandria running this diversity survey again, and we're really pleased to see a significant increase in participation, both in the number of individuals and participating libraries, this year (+49% and + 36%, respectively.) As a result, we have a more nuanced understanding of the broad diversity of bookstore workers and their perceptions of inclusion, belonging, respect, and being themselves at work.
“The change in the number of respondents makes direct comparisons with the previous survey somewhat difficult, but the key themes in representation are still evident. Some of these themes are really positive and show the sector as a welcoming and inclusive space to work in (e.g. representation of those who identify as LGBTQ, or have disabilities or long-term health conditions, or are neurodivergent), while others show that there are potential barriers for some groups of people (such as ethnic minority groups or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds).”
