On libraries, and bookstores

Once upon a time, there were lots of little independent bookstores.  New book stores, used book stores, specialty book stores.  As time went on, a number of BIG bookstores began to develop.  There was Walden Books, B. Dalton, Powell's Books, Borders Books, and of course Barnes and Noble, as well as a host of others.  In some communities, the little bookstores were able to survive.  But in many instances, they just couldn't keep up with the big stores.  The big stores had more titles available, and typically had cheaper prices.  Many of the little bookstores closed, or were swallowed up by the big bookstores.  And even some of the big stores were forced to close, in part because of the BIGGER stores.

Recently, Barnes and Noble, the BIGGEST of the BIG stores, announced that they will be implementing a schedule of store closures, resulting in a significant reduction in total stores. The news made me sad. I like bookstores, although if they relied on my purchases alone, I can certainly understand why the closures are necessary.

You see, while I love books, I almost never buy books for myself. I get nearly all my reading material...  whether in the form of printed books, or digital ebooks for my Nook, or recorded books to listen to in the car... from the library.

When I was a young child, and first learning to read, we didn't have a library nearby.  BUT...  we DID have a bookmobile, which came to the neighborhood once a week.

I still have fond memories of going up and down the single aisle that ran down the middle of the vehicle.







When a library -- a real library! -- opened up, fairly close, I was beside myself with excitement!  We could go there any day of the week, and there was an entire building full of books.

But as much as I loved reading, I never felt the need to 'own' the books.  I read them once, and moved on.  Frankly, it was easier to choose books from the library, because I always knew it was a temporary choice.  Any book not chosen one week, could be chosen the following week when I returned.  On the occasions when I went to a bookstore, it was always very difficult, as I felt that all the books not chosen, were missed opportunities.

However, there's no question that bookstores serve a very important purpose.  As much as I don't care to own books, I do love giving books as gifts.  Sure, I could go online and order books that way, but unless I have a particular book in mind, I'd much rather walk up and down the aisles, select the books I want, and walk out of the store with my purchases in hand.  And of course there are a lot of people who do, indeed, want to own their books.

For me, personally, the closing of Barnes and Noble stores will have little effect.  I'll continue to go to the library, and I have confidence that, in one form or another, my Nook e-reader will continue to be a supported device, either by what remains of Barnes and Noble, or some spin off.  And the business plan that the company announced, is a decade-long plan.

But still.  I find myself saddened at this news.  It feels like the end of an era.

Time for some tea, and a good book.