Who We Are
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
AOM is a bookstore located in the heart of Elkins, West Virginia. Nestled in the Monongahela National Forest and surrounded by the stunning Appalachian Mountains, there is no more beautiful place to connect with nature, enjoy Appalachian heritage, and fall in love with a new book.
We carry new and used books for adults, young adults, middle grade readers, emerging readers, young children, and babies. We have a stellar collection of US history books for children and adults. Our genres also include best-selling fiction, "BookTok" selections, fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, Amish fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, religion, self- help, non-fiction, dog books, graphic novels, and monthly special topics. Our specialties are local authors, local history, and local interests (nature, gardening, cryptids, natural living, hiking, foraging, and Scottish Heritage).
Most of our books are available in many formats. Paperbacks and hardbacks are available in the store. Audiobooks are available online at libro.fm/alexandriaonmain. eBooks and online shopping are available at [insert web link here].
We also carry a large selection of gifts and bookish accessories. They include seasonal gifts, waterproof stickers, earrings, annotation supplies, pens, stationary, Journals, tea, mugs, candy/ snacks, book sleeves, and more!
We also offer gift cards, book clubs, event room rentals, a stage with lighting and a basic PA system, community events, author signings, and much more.
Our Philosophy
At AOM, we pride ourselves on being nonpartisan. We carry a wide selection of books that meet the needs of our community. We welcome everyone.
We may not personally share your race, ethnicity, religion, age, political bent, sex, gender expression, orientation, abilities, or other demographics, but we believe YOU have a right to be who you are, YOU have the right to be treated with love and respect and YOU have a right to read what you want to read. We may not stock all controversial books, and we may choose not to stock books with covers that may be scary or inappropriate for our young visitors to see, but we are always happy to order the books YOU want to read (new or used).
We will call you the name you wish us to call you. We aren't dating you, so we really don't care what sex or gender you are.
We will continue to value having a diverse staff, and we will enjoy learning about each other's heritage, abilities, challenges, and life experiences.
We have never hired or refused to hire people based on their demographics, and that will not change. As before, we will hire people based on their fit for the job, their availability, their knowledge of books, and their positive personalities. When we are hiring, we will always encourage people of all demographics to apply.
We also encourage calm discourse between patrons who may be on opposite sides of issues. We don't expect that people will abandon their principles, nor do we think that everyone needs to believe the same things, but calm discourse helps us develop empathy and helps us understand why people feel so strongly on both sides.
We will not tolerate conversation that includes belittling people, name calling, or yelling.
We encourage patrons to linger, bring their coffee, finish an assignment on their laptops, sit and read their current book, or work on their handicrafts. We love when children come and try our scavenger hunt, read our books, and explore our store. We enjoy meeting our neighbors and visitors (we enjoy it even more if you support us with purchases when your budget allows).
While we do hope to someday turn a profit, I've chosen to work a second job in addition to owning the store. I will keep doing so until the store can afford to pay all of our bills, make inventory purchases, AND pay our staff.
We resolve to be a place that feels comfortable, caring, knowledgeable, and welcoming in a world where some are elated, some are terrified, but most are somewhere in between.