Michigan Residents Form Human Chain to Move 9,100 Books in Just Two Hours

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, about 300 residents of Chelsea, Michigan, joined forces to relocate 9,100 books from the old to the new location of Serendipity Books, a beloved local bookstore. The human chain stretched along the sidewalk, with volunteers forming two parallel lines and passing each book hand-to-hand from the shelves of the old store to the empty racks in the new space just down Main Street. Store owner Michelle Tuplin, who has managed the shop since 2017, expressed her delight at the practical and inclusive nature of the move. As books passed from one person to another, comments like ‘I haven’t read this one’ or ‘this is a great book’ filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere. The initiative began when Tuplin announced the relocation in January, sparking significant mobilization within the town. Thanks to the community effort, the entire process was completed in under two hours on a recent Sunday—a feat that would have taken much longer if handled by a professional moving company. Not only did the team transport the books efficiently, but they also arranged them alphabetically on the shelves. Tuplin remains optimistic that the new Serendipity Books location will open its doors within the next two weeks. Established in 1997, the bookstore serves the town’s approximately 5,300 residents. Kaci Friss, who grew up in Chelsea and has worked at the bookstore for over a year, highlighted the unique sense of community in the area. She noted how Sunday’s event reminded her of the town’s distinctiveness and the genuine care its residents have for one another.