“If it wasn’t for publishers, printers and booksellers, we’d have no real sources for historical research,” Keaveny says. “It’s really a rescue mission.”

In order to make a living out of selling out-of-print and first-edition books, Link and many of his colleagues maintain websites in addition to their stores.

But the rising popularity of Internet sites have jeopardized the business, Atherton says.

“In the book trade, a lot of smaller bookstores have closed,” he says. “But in the last five years, the Internet business has started to die, too.”

Although lovers of old books can shop on the Internet, there is a “fondle factor” that drives them to the bookstores, Link says.

Despite the steadily increasing Square rents that have forced many independent bookstores to fold, the booksellers say quirky new stores still have a place in the Square.

“The Square presence is still very nice,” Keaveny says. “It attracts people. It’s important for us to be here.”

—Staff writer Daniela J. Lamas can be reached at lamas@fas.harvard.edu.