Slate has an interesting article, dated May 15, that bears the title: "What Are Independent Bookstores Really Good For? Not much."
As I write this, I'm sitting in The Fresh Pot -- and independent coffee shop located inside the Powell's Books on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland. I love Powell's Books (for the most part). The article notes that "...indie stores are not all intellectual powerhouses like Powell's in Portland, considered by many to be the best bookstore in the United States." Powell's reputation for championing liberal causes has been tarnished by labor disputes with its employees over the years, but it's still a great place overall.
What if Powell's Books was to go away? Would you miss it? I don't see that happening anytime soon, but hundreds of smaller independent booksellers around the country are at risk. I've written articles admonishing readers to "put your money where your house is" and support local merchants -- but I still buy from Amazon.com. There are times when Powell's is asking double what I can pay Amazon for the same book. I don't have an unlimited supply of cash, so I have to take that into consideration. Also, as the article points out, the reader reviews, one-stop access to a number of editorial reviews and other information make Amazon.com an incredibly helpful resource for book lovers -- especially those who need a book on a given subject, but don't know what's out there and which one to buy. You can spend 30 minutes comparing 10 different books on Amazon.com and ultimately get one that you know is good based on all the information you've found and feedback from people who have already read it. At a bookstore you're likely to get about two minutes with an employee who almost assuredly hasn't read the book. And if the book is very far outside the mainstream or the store's area of specialization, odds are they won't have the book in stock.
So what is the value of independent bookstores? The number one thing for me is the ability to walk the aisles and savor the experience of being surrounded by books. When I see a book that jumps out at me for any reason -- the color, the font, the artwork, the author, the title -- I never know what's going to grab me -- I can pick it up and heft it, flip through it, caress it. It's an almost spiritual experience that I just can't replicate online. But is that going to make me buy every book there? Will it make me may more money -- often much more money -- every time I want a book? No, it won't.
I love bookstores. It's one of the first things I look for when I visit a new town. But they have to find ways to add value and differentiate themselves from the many alternatives readers have today. Some ideas:
- Hold regular events that bring people together, into the store
- Serve coffee and tea; it doesn't cost much and people can't get it from a website
- Offer places to sit and free wireless Internet access; include a computer or two if you can
- Hold regular readings by area authors
- Offer an area where local groups -- book clubs, writing groups, etc. -- can meet
- Offer discounts when you can; you can't get the volume discounts that the majors get, but do what you can
- Pay wages that will attract quality, knowledgeable staff; these people will generate repeat business from regulars
- Have book release parties the way music stores have CD release parties; the author doesn't have to be there
Other ideas?
Recent Comments