Meet Kimberley Dunn | Antiquarian Bookseller

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberley Dunn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As the owner of the Admont Library, I would describe it as an antiquarian bookstore, selling rare books in various languages and some of which even originating from a museum, but it is much more than merely a business. The Admont Library is an idea, a place “where pleasure meets pages.” And behind it is my passion: to provide all with the ultimate reading experience. As such, I hand-wrap each order with care, provide compassionate 24/7 customer service, ensure free shipping for all U.S. orders, and include a complimentary brew + bookmark with every purchase. Despite the stressful connotation of shipping and packing orders, I take pleasure in it; each order develops its own theme, its own personality, its own experience. A week ago, I was absolutely delighted to come across an Instagram Story from one of my customers; she shared a video of her unwrapped the book she purchased, a 1959 Franklin Library Edition of The Possessed by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I got to watch the joy and surprise across her face as she uncovered all the unexpected trinkets I included. Despite living in Japan, she was so eager to buy the book that she had a friend receive it in the U.S. and bring it to her. It was at that moment that I truly felt, for the first time, how valuable it was to be able to provide someone with such a gift: that of the reading experience.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Inspired by the largest monastic library in the world, The Admont Library aims to capture the unparalleled beauty and baroque aesthetic of Austria’s Admont Abbey. While specializing in classics, we sell antiquarian books of all genres and aim to provide the gift of knowledge with both style and care. A French and English antiquarian bookstore, we continually aspire to fill our inventory with rare books that each hold their own story, our French Literature collection even originating from the Valentine Museum of Richmond, Virginia. Each order is hand-wrapped, tied with string, and packed with care. We also use recycled, shredded paper to deliver our products safely and reduce our carbon footprint. An idea first and a bookstore second, The Admont Library consistently strives to provide customers with the ultimate reading experience. As such, our goal is to ensure free shipping, a complimentary brew + bookmark, and compassionate 24/7 customer service for all customers. In addition to being a bookstore, The Admont Library aspires to serve as an online archive, where beloved classics and integrated audiobooks can be accessed with the click of a button. With The Admont Library’s emergence as a bookstore comes the publication of The Admont Abbey Magazine, the only magazine dedicated to booksellers and admirers of classic literature alike.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For a relaxing yet cultural experience in Miami, one looks no further than the Biltmore Hotel as their place of stay. One can spend the morning exploring the Phillip and Patricia Frost Science Museum and uncovering its mysteries at their Sherlock Holmes exhibit. Enjoy a picnic gyro on the go from Sunny Isles’ Kabobji while at the beach overlooking the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park’s historical 1825 lighthouse. Cool down in the afternoon at the Pinecrest Gardens with activities including feeding majestic koi fish and attending open-air theatre performances. Finish the day with a walk along South Beach, gazing at art deco, shopping at Lincoln Road, and grabbing a bite of breakfast for dinner at the railroad-car-style Eleventh Street Diner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When it comes to my business, I find the majority of my support within my family and friends. All of which encourage my endeavor of bringing joy to others through the power of words and art of curation. My family assists me with acquiring and storing my inventory and ensuring that orders get to the post office as swiftly as possible. Those around me continually support my drive to celebrate rare books, my interest and passion for classical literature inspiring me to sell rare books in the first place.

Website: theadmontlibrary.com

Instagram: @theadmontlibrary

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjms_K_PTaDiSF7o4ViIFA