Borders Closing Its Doors-Book Stores Thing of the Past-Where Can People Go Take Refuge and Relax
Posted: Friday, July 22, 2011
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
The nation’s second largest bookstore, Borders, is closing its doors. All stores will be closed by the end of 2011. In addition, over 10 thousand jobs will be lost. Just what the economy needs, huh? It gets worse. Some people say that all brick and mortar bookstores will go the way of the dinosaur and simply disappear. They say it is a matter of time—short time at that.
Four years ago, the Kindle hit the market and took book reading to a completely different level. The Kindle is a device put out by Amazon that electronically stores books and other print material for the user to read. Newer versions are becoming available and estimated to sell well over 4 million devices in the coming year. What these devices do is allow people to make “book” purchases and download them straight to their Kindle or other e-reader device without stepping into a bookstore. Then, they simply read that downloaded material in their electronic device. Sales have skyrocketed and have even passed the purchase of books around the holidays.
So, does this mean that traditional books with great covers and paper pages are done? Sure seems so. This is bad news for me. I like books. I like books that I can hold, touch, and get the feel of the author from. I suppose there is no such thing as getting the feel of an author from a book because the real feel is in the message, the words, but I still like a book in my hand. I feel that I am on a journey with an author when I’m reading their work. It is they and I, taking a trip. I can’t imagine feeling the same way, electronically. Nevertheless, I’m sure I’ll learn to feel that way when the time comes that I have no other option. I’ll rise to the occasion, but I’m not happy about it.
In addition, what is worse for me and many others is the loss of bookstores. Places where people go to get lost in a world of . . . everything. You can be in the company of great leaders, scholars, and storytellers. You can be in any country in the world and simply stop by for a minute just to browse and then move on to the next fascinating topic, country or area that intrigues you. It is all there at your fingertips.
I just read a quote in my local paper from a Borders sales associate who said that, "Borders was a refuge for many people.” That struck a cord when I read it. It was a refuge for me. I would stop at my local Borders every couple of months to get a book I had been enticed to buy on television or on radio, but I’d soon find myself taking refuge in the comfort of the store. Everyone was there with good intentions. They seemed calm and simply involved in exploring and relaxing in the company of all forms of life’s possibilities. That was me and Borders. In fact, that was most bookstores and me. It was taking refuge in the calm, mysterious, interesting and fun things all available, right at my fingertips. My refuge came easy as most everyone else in the bookstore had the same intent as I; we were all on the same page, no pun intended. I’ll miss Borders and I’ll surely miss bookstores if they go the way of the Dodo bird. Quite often change is good, quite often it sucks.
So, does this mean that traditional books with great covers and paper pages are done? Sure seems so. This is bad news for me. I like books. I like books that I can hold, touch, and get the feel of the author from. I suppose there is no such thing as getting the feel of an author from a book because the real feel is in the message, the words, but I still like a book in my hand. I feel that I am on a journey with an author when I’m reading their work. It is they and I, taking a trip. I can’t imagine feeling the same way, electronically. Nevertheless, I’m sure I’ll learn to feel that way when the time comes that I have no other option. I’ll rise to the occasion, but I’m not happy about it.
In addition, what is worse for me and many others is the loss of bookstores. Places where people go to get lost in a world of . . . everything. You can be in the company of great leaders, scholars, and storytellers. You can be in any country in the world and simply stop by for a minute just to browse and then move on to the next fascinating topic, country or area that intrigues you. It is all there at your fingertips.
I just read a quote in my local paper from a Borders sales associate who said that, "Borders was a refuge for many people.” That struck a cord when I read it. It was a refuge for me. I would stop at my local Borders every couple of months to get a book I had been enticed to buy on television or on radio, but I’d soon find myself taking refuge in the comfort of the store. Everyone was there with good intentions. They seemed calm and simply involved in exploring and relaxing in the company of all forms of life’s possibilities. That was me and Borders. In fact, that was most bookstores and me. It was taking refuge in the calm, mysterious, interesting and fun things all available, right at my fingertips. My refuge came easy as most everyone else in the bookstore had the same intent as I; we were all on the same page, no pun intended. I’ll miss Borders and I’ll surely miss bookstores if they go the way of the Dodo bird. Quite often change is good, quite often it sucks.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Steve, I'm with you on this. I will not purchase one of those things until I am forced to. There is something special about holding the book in my hands, it's a comfort of sorts. And I love the library of books in my office. Staring at them gives me a sense of accomplishment and companionship -especially related to the books that I have from authors I know personally. And yes, where will all the little kids go on hot summer days to read their stories and get lost in the land of adventure. All of technology is designed to separate and alienate people - not good. We were created for fellowship. Sigh. Thanks, now I'm depressed. LOL Just kiddin'. Excellent article. Blessings! TSame here--really enjoy the books on my shelves from authors I have interviewed. Won't be the same when I look at my shelf one day and see a disc with 30 books on it.
It will be interesting to see if companies will still offer hard copies for exrtra money.
Yes, we were created to be social and to be together. I'm not sure the electronic age we are in is the best for that.
Thanks for writing Teresa.
Steve
Quite often change is good and it sucks. I share a tear with you, but I do think it is an incredible invention that will revolutionize the dissemination of literary information which I am all for. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I do think however that several thousand copies of each piece of work should be created and distributed to libraries around the world so in the event of near self annihilation, humankind will have the remains of the written history of our planet so that they can correct the errors of our past and to help build a better future. Alas, libraries are an excellent place to relax and reflect, and don't forget, that's why God created Starbucks..isn't it?:-) Nice work Steve.Dave,
"Quite often change is good and it sucks". Sounds like a quotable quote to be placed in a book somewhere...oopps, I mean on a piece of software somewhere. Ha-ha, anyway, your points are right on and I have to agree with you, however, not about libraries. I feel like I'm back in elementary school again and a nun is going to slap me or give me a piece of her mind at any second. So, Starbucks it is.....
Thanks my friend,
Steve
Any business closing down goes with a reason especially these days, Steve, you also know the trend of ebooks and e-lectronic devices which are so "convenient". I am sad to see a bookstore such as Borders come to an end. Over here, there are trendy bookstores almost at every shopping mall but I can see sales don't happen very often when I pass the Cash Register. It's quiet.
Other factors may be due to high rental and employees (outcome more than income)Hi Hilda,
Yeah, they are convenient and cheaper to produce I would imagine. I saw an info commercial on TV last night that was selling an item that you place in a pan as you are cooking and it stirs it for you. Wow....what's next, something that will chew my food.
Yes, employee costs are high, insurance etc etc but people have to work and have to get paid. People have to collect rent to make a living too. I'm glad I'm not too smart or not a politician--all these problems would drive me nuts--I'll let the smarter people worry about em. Thanks for your comment.
Steve
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