Minerva’s Books are on the move

BY the age of sixteen, Amy Tsilemanis was in love with literature.

Writing to potential employers, she passionately wanted to work in a bookshop.

Among many of my aspirations, I would like to become a writer. Therefore, I would feel very privileged to attain some part time work, surrounded by beloved books.

I find bookshops very special, even enchanting at times, and believe that books are sacred and deserving of respect.

I have not had a lot of experience in the workforce, but I hope you will consider my application for any work I could assist you with in the wonderful realm of words.

At 21, Tsilemanis found herself in London, and unsurprisingly, she was working in a bookshop.

Returning to Australia, she was employed by Readings in Carlton, before launching Minerva’s Books with her husband, Julian Potter three-and-a-half years ago, from the front of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.

“Having my own second-hand bookshop was a dream come true and it’s become my baby,” she said.

Now Minerva’s Books & Ideas, the pair’s store is based from their home, and in the last month, sales have moved online, with Tsilemanis at the helm of the “small family business.”

“We have unique books that you might not be able to get elsewhere, to do with Australian history and culture, local stuff is popular, culture, philosophy, classics and vintage treasures that people enjoy,” she said.

“We don’t have as many books as we had in the shop, but we’ve curated a collection. Recently we’ve sold fabulous things that have come through, like The Magic Pudding and Enid Blyton.

“We’ve built a community on Instagram, where we share stock or goodies as they come in, and we have a shop on our website.”

For Tsilemanis, there’s a “unique joy” and “community feeling” in connecting a book with its next owner, and then getting it to its new home.

“When I drop things off to people’s houses, we get to know what interests people have, we can link them up with books as they come in, and it’s a very personalised service.

“We usually do a swap in the letterbox, so people have left us cards or kids have done drawings on the envelope. It’s been really beautiful. It’s booklovers coming together and loving books,” she said.

Offering free local delivery in Ballarat, Tsilemanis heads out on her bike to drop books off as much as she can.

“I’m loving it. It’s good for my fitness and mental health, and I also get to explore different parts of town which I might not have been to before.

“I enjoy looking down all the different streets, taking photos on my way, seeing all the different cats along the route, and it’s good for the environment,” she said.

“There’s a freedom in not being tied down to a shop.”

With the expanded name, the business is set to encompass more of Tsilemanis and Mr Potter’s interests and creativity.

“We’ve both finished PhDs recently…so we have a lot of knowledge to share, and that’s where the Ideas part comes in.”

They’re keen to take their audience on “journeys in audio,” utilising sound experience, archival material, records and history.

“I’ve just been successful with a Regional Arts Fund grant through Regional Arts Victoria, which will allow me to create a pilot episode of a podcast over the next couple of months,” she said.

“The concept is the life of books. Each episode will have a theme that starts with a book, or collection, and then unfurls stories. I just recently read The Getting of Wisdom, so I’d love to do one on Henry Handel Richardson who lived in regional Victoria.”

Tsilemanis continues to read new and old books on the shop’s Instagram TV page, and encourages public requests.

As Minerva’s Books & Ideas moves into its next chapter, the lease of the BMI shopfront has been transferred to a new operator with a similar outlook.

Costume tailor, Christine Crawshaw is opening her store, Sothis Books & Sartorial.

“Then there will be four second-hand bookshops in town, and she will sell other interesting and creative things as well,” Tsilemanis said.

“We’re really proud to have been able to support her to get that happening. We’re all learning and adapting to the times, but we’re excited for the future.”

Minerva’s Books & Ideas are looking for any good quality books that people are willing to donate.

Visit minervasbooks.com, facebook.com/minervasbooks or instagram.com/minervasbooksandideas.