{image}
You've probably heard by now that Borders is in the process of filing Chapter 11. One of my favorite magazines, Mothering, has also fallen on hard times and ceased publication after 35 years to go solely web based. And after 30 years a landmark bookstore here in Nashville, Davis-Kidd, recently closed their doors. This was a place to take your kids for music class, have lunch at their cafe, go to book signings or just chill out with a latte, enjoy the music and read a good book. It was so much more then just a bookstore but sadly I rarely did those things although I liked knowing that I could.
This got me thinking...is this a glimpse at what the future holds for print? When my children are in High School or maybe even Elementary School will they no longer have textbooks because all they need will be downloaded onto their laptops? Will we no longer have bookstores to go to because they can't compete with the growth of online sales?
It seems that I am part of the reason why these brick and mortar stores are closing. I love being able to download a book instantly to the Kindle app on my iPhone. I am part of the generation of when I want it I want it right now but a part of me is also old fashioned and saddened by these changes. Being conscience of this makes think twice about downloading books and instead want to support something that I've taken for granted...a good ole' fashioned book!
Posts
4 comments:
I heard that this morning on the radio and it made me sad! What's next? Closing libraries? :(
I feel the same way. I love to download books instantly when I want them but there's just something about a bookstore that's just great. Thankfully, the main Borders near me isn't closing. We also still have Barnes and Noble but it's just crazy to see all these places close down.
Even the electronics stores are having problems though. Ultimate Electronics just opened near me a year ago and they filed for chapter 11 and are going out of business. It's sad.
We are already having schools in my board (here in Canada) testing textbooks on memory sticks...worn as bracelets. I'm a lover of books, the way the feel, smell. I love turning pages. That said I'm also not against this technology in our schools because textbooks are so darn expensive and get outdated so quickly. E-versions would be much easier to update.
Visiting from The Pleated Poppy btw.
Laura I actually thought about the future of libraries too. That would be a terrible lose!
Amanda that's a good point about the textbooks. They are so heavy too! Kids wouldn't be able to say they forgot them at school either. Thanks for stopping by!
Post a Comment