Medicinska Bokhandeln

AUTHORS: MIKAEL YILMAZ & JULIA EHRENSTRÖM

Medicinska bokhandeln (MB) has long been the students' safe haven for finding course literature. The bookstore has, over the years, contributed to a more vibrant campus. Many people know MB as it is located in front of the lecture hall Berzelius. The admirable, detailed anatomical drawings from Andreas Vesalius' masterpiece, De humani corporis fabrica (published 1543), decorate the glass walls. However, only a few know the view from MB’s perspective. We have been permitted to interview the operations manager – Svetlana.

What is MB?

MB is a small business bookstore that is mainly owned by Medicinska Föreningen (MF). It is run in the form of a limited company. The company is divided into two units that cooperate; these are MB in Solna and Harrys böcker in Huddinge. We have a small staff group, including me, the operations manager, and two other employees. Furthermore, we have a board where a couple of students from KI are included.

How did you come to join MB?

I have an education as an economist. A consistent thing throughout my career has been meeting on the store floor, exchanging words, and having contact with customers, which has always been fun. In addition to my background, I have liked books since I was very young. The trade itself becomes fun when the product you sell is valuable for oneself. Therefore, MB was an obvious choice for me.

Do you have a favorite book?

When it comes to books, I like detective stories. My favorite author is Elizabeth George. These are beautiful ”bricks” that you can relax with.

Why is MB’s slogan “By and for students”?

MB is owned by MF, a student union. Likewise, our customer clientele mostly consists of students from KI and Södertörn University. Moreover, our assortment is mainly based on the courses used on campus. We look at the statistics and see what sells the most among the students, and consequently order. It is this adaptation for the students that distinguishes MB from the bigger dragons (bookstores).

To make the books more affordable for students, we have started to sell second-hand books. Additionally, we mediate free books given to us by donors.

We already know that corona has affected many businesses. But how has it been for MB?

The pandemic has hit us very hard because students have not been on campus. Nowadays, KI has lectures digitally. Unfortunately, Harrys böcker has been hit harder as closure in Södertörn University has been stricter than KI. Right now, it looks like we are approaching a clearing, and KI intends to open campus in the autumn. But we have been hit hard. No students, no income.

Do you have a strategy to overcome the pandemic?

We have finally set up an online webshop medicinskabokhandeln.se that facilitates sales. The webshop is an additional sales channel where customers can order without being on campus. Also, we have reduced costs and adapted to the circumstances.

To reduce the spread of the virus, we limit the number of people that simultaneously enter the store. In addition, we have a protective shield glass between me (checkout) and the customer.

What do you think about the usage of e-books instead of actual books?

There is nothing MB can do about it, but I generally do not like illegal downloads. In the end, there is someone who has worked, written, printed, sold the book. A long chain of people work hard to produce a book, and to download it for free on the web undermines these people.

I am a bookworm, and opening a book is something special. Opening a new book, throwing yourself into the action, creating your own thoughts; gives a different feeling. I also like audiobooks when the thoughts fly away; then I am in another world.

What would you like for KIs tudents to know about MB?

Our aim at MB is to offer a wide range of books to students. If a product is missing, we can always order it. The waiting time for Swedish and foreign literature is 2-3 days and two weeks, respectively.

Unveiling the history of MB

READ MORE about the history of MB in the Medicor Magazine!