Taylor Books will celebrate the first National Bookstore Day on Saturday with a special program featuring authors and artists.

The store also will offer drink specials and discounts on art works throughout the day. People who get "caught" buying books might get photographed and have their pictures posted in the store's front windows.

Naomi Bays, manager of Taylor Books, said, "We hope people shop local. For every $100 you spend at a local business, $68 stays right in the community. Only $43 stays in the community if you shop at national chains."

"Publishers Weekly" magazine is promoting National Bookstore Day across the country, trying to build visibility for local bookstores.

Taylor Books opened 15 years ago at 226 Capitol St. in downtown Charleston.

"Locally, we have become a cultural icon. But today, independent bookstores are fighting against the big boxes. They are seriously undercutting us," Bays said.

If Taylor's is ever forced to close, Bays believes other local businesses like Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream shop across the street and The Peanut Shoppe a block away could also lose customers.

"We are a hub for all things cultural," Bays added.

Taylor's has a fine art gallery that sells drawings, paintings and sculptures by local artists, as well as sections for crafts and folk art.

The bookstore offers drawing classes and has a clay studio in its basement. The store regularly features local, and sometimes controversial, authors of new books.

"We also have a wonderful coffee house. People are in love with our services," Bays said. "And we have free live music many nights."

Taylor's sells a wide variety of books about current events, history, foreign policy, economics, sociology, environmental issues, regional studies, fine art and novels.

Ann Saville, who owns Taylor Books, said the store has more than 20,000 new titles in stock.

The store also has a children's book section and sells current editions of more than 150 magazines and journals.

 "We revamp orders to help our customers," Bays said. "Recently, we started getting a magazine called 'Wooden Sailboat' after a customer asked us about it.

"We tailor our business to our customers. One thing about shopping local is that your wish is our command. If you like hang-gliding, we will try our best to find a magazine about hang-gliding."

Taylor Books will celebrate the first National Bookstore Day on Saturday with a special program featuring authors and artists.

The store also will offer drink specials and discounts on art works throughout the day. People who get "caught" buying books might get photographed and have their pictures posted in the store's front windows.

Naomi Bays, manager of Taylor Books, said, "We hope people shop local. For every $100 you spend at a local business, $68 stays right in the community. Only $43 stays in the community if you shop at national chains."

"Publishers Weekly" magazine is promoting National Bookstore Day across the country, trying to build visibility for local bookstores.

Taylor Books opened 15 years ago at 226 Capitol St. in downtown Charleston.

"Locally, we have become a cultural icon. But today, independent bookstores are fighting against the big boxes. They are seriously undercutting us," Bays said.

If Taylor's is ever forced to close, Bays believes other local businesses like Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream shop across the street and The Peanut Shoppe a block away could also lose customers.

"We are a hub for all things cultural," Bays added.

Taylor's has a fine art gallery that sells drawings, paintings and sculptures by local artists, as well as sections for crafts and folk art.

The bookstore offers drawing classes and has a clay studio in its basement. The store regularly features local, and sometimes controversial, authors of new books.

"We also have a wonderful coffee house. People are in love with our services," Bays said. "And we have free live music many nights."

Taylor's sells a wide variety of books about current events, history, foreign policy, economics, sociology, environmental issues, regional studies, fine art and novels.

Ann Saville, who owns Taylor Books, said the store has more than 20,000 new titles in stock.

The store also has a children's book section and sells current editions of more than 150 magazines and journals.

 "We revamp orders to help our customers," Bays said. "Recently, we started getting a magazine called 'Wooden Sailboat' after a customer asked us about it.

"We tailor our business to our customers. One thing about shopping local is that your wish is our command. If you like hang-gliding, we will try our best to find a magazine about hang-gliding."

Taylor Books recently displayed a traveling exhibition, featuring a billboard and video exhibit about the Kanawha County Textbook Controversy Book Protest in 1974, originally displayed at the Capitol Culture Center earlier this fall. The Kanawha Valley Historical and Preservation Society prepared the exhibit.

"If you want to know what is going on in town, you can come here. Ask us. We are a hotbed of activity." Bays said.

Taylor Books also partners the Charleston Visitors Bureau. "People come in here and ask directions all the time. We tell them the best places to eat in town. They want to know what the locals do."

During Saturday's celebration of National Book Day, Taylor Books is hosting nine presentations, including:

More information about Taylor Books can be found at: www.taylorbooks.com.

Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjny...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5164.