Independent bookstores are not just stores, they’re community centers and local anchors run by passionate readers.They are entire universes of ideas that contain the possibility of real serendipity.They are lively performance spaces and quiet places where aimless perusal is a day well spent.

In a world of tweets and algorithms and pageless digital downloads, bookstores are not a dying anachronism. They are living, breathing organisms that continue to grow and expand. In fact, there are more of them this year than there were last year. And they are at your service.

For more information, and to view the special items offered on this day, visit http://www.indiebookstoreday.com/

Our audio partner, Libro.fm, is offering 5 free audiobooks on that day as well. See details: https://libro.fm/ibd.

At 3 p.m. Georgeanne Brennan presents Windows on Provence: Musings on the Food, Wine, and Culture of the South of France. See next listing for details.