SIBA lost a beloved bookseller this week, Dr. Erica Atkins, owner of Birdsong Books in Locust Grove, GA. Her murder has deeply distressed our community. SIBA and the SIBA Board have been in touch with the family to see how we can support them. We are grateful to Binc for also stepping up right away to offer assistance.

Dr. Atkins’ daughter, Jasmine, has shared that she plans to keep the bookstore going to honor her mother’s legacy:

"My mother started the bookstore because her parents met at a bookstore. She's always had a fascination with books and it was just something that stuck with her. My mother was the smartest woman I know. She wanted to get children to start reading again and put down the phones after the pandemic because she knew that was important."

Her top request is mentors who can guide her in the business of bookselling. Georgia-based SIBA Board member Julia Davis is the contact person to add your name to Jasmine's mentor circle: shopthebookwormpowdersprings@gmail.com. Mentors from the Atlanta area are especially encouraged to help. People can also help by donating to the Erica Atkins Memorial Gofundme campaign created by the family to support the continuation of her legacy.

(Photos courtesy of Jasmine Atkins)