It used to be that a bookstore was where you found books on shelves. But in the age of competition over new formats, ebooks, and so many other options for buying and reading books, the role of the bookstore owner is changing. Just last week a beloved neighborhood bookstore had to move because their lease got too expensive. It's tough. I remember a New Yorker cartoon I read once where a bookstore owner was arriving at his shop just as his neighbor was signing for a package of books from Amazon right next door. The neighbor looked sheepish and the bookstore owner just stared. It was funny.
It is also me. I order books from Amazon all the time rather than buy them at that bookstore. Why? Because that bookstore is (was) a dusty used bookstore. It wasn't easy to find a book at all. If I wanted to wander, browse, and relax in a comfy chair and read the book, I would go there. If I wanted to talk to the owner, who was awesome, I would go there. One time he sang a song right on the spot out of a book my wife bought. You can't do that stuff online.
But usually I just have a book pop into my head, realize I want to buy it, and have it on its way to my house within 10 minutes. For less than $10. That's hard to compete with for a brick and mortar used book store. And in my opinion, why bother?
The bookstore is a noble and cherished institution for me. I first understood wonder in the endless aisles of the one in my hometown. It has only been equaled by places like the Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River, the majestic rocks and quirky trees of Joshua Tree National Park, and the neighborhoods of San Francisco in twilight.
But as noble and cherished as it is, I believe it needs to change. And bookstore owners, rather than being embattled, can become even more powerful. Here's how:
1. Curators: If I had one person with his/her finger on the pulse of what's new who loved books and wanted to tell me about them, man would I keep in touch with and pay that person.
2. FAQ: There are dozens of questions I get over and over from self-publishers. Bookstore owners could and I believe should be hubs of innovation and information for the self-publishing revolution.
3. Devices: Ebooks don't have to destroy bookstores. Kobo is doing a decent first step partnering with bookstores. But why not make the store an ebook repair spot, a place to share tips on reading or recommendations on a next book, or whatever else people who love their ebooks need :)
There is more, but my point is that bookstore owners can continue to be respected leaders and filters around books and reading for their community. It will take adaptation and change, and I hope it happens. It's just as important as it has ever been.
Image Source: jamesfincher via flickr
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