Change is typically incremental, even radical change. But often, there is that moment or day that PUNCTUATES a transformation. An unmistakable, inarguable sign that times have changed by technology. I saw the long, slow shift from vinyl to CD. And one day, the change was complete – the vinyl section in Tower Records was closed completely, supplanted by music CDs.
Recently in my business, we made the decision to give away our entire inventory of VHS tapes. The decision to divorce ourselves completely, even from viewing legacy video tapes, was also made. We will be uninstalling our video monitor and VHS tape player. DVDs are threatened as well. We recently converted all of our video media to electronic form and uploaded them to a touch screen computer. This showroom kiosk now replaces monitor, VHS tape player, and DVD player.
The future of printed books is unclear. Ebooks have been heralded for eons, but print continues to live on. The adoption of electronic books over print is a much greater hurdle – unlike video, where the form of delivery media is not so consequential, print is tactile and the difference between paper and electronic imaging is still huge for most individuals. Ultimately, I believe technology will force its hand as costs, storage, and distribution of electronic media win easily over paper.
Bookstores have closed here and there. At one time, 8th Street in Greenwich Village was a virtual mecca for book lovers, with numerous bookstores, befitting its literary and bohemian roots. Many have anguished over the encroachment of the large chains into New York City, particularly Barnes and Noble. Personally, although I understand the sentiment, I always welcome a bookstore. I also have a sentimental attachment to Barnes and Noble, as I wrote about in World of Waiting.
It had been announced that the Barnes and Noble at 8th Street and 6th Avenue would close. The store is an anchor for the block – it occupies the corner and the entire two-story structure. It has had numerous incarnations. In the 1960s-70s, it was a popular late night watering hole and home to Nathan’s and an Orange Julius. I paid little mind to the store closing announcement, as many things can be said and stays of execution are common in business. However, last night en route home, the death knell tolled again. The windows were papered and a sign on the door said it all. Closed Forever.
It makes me sad to see bookstores closing. I love the smell when I first walk in and looking around to see what I want to read. I do have a Kindle, but it doesn’t compare to reading a book. My grandchildren will never get to experience that.
Now, Joe Fox knows how Kathleen Kelly felt when The Shop Around the Corner closed.
That’s the Nathan’s location where you actually ate deep fried frogs legs in 1970! Bravo.
Several stores have had a difficult time in that particular location. This time I believe it’s the fault of the ‘love-hate’ Amazon.
I hate seeing so many stores closing in this area. Kinda depressing and scary.
Best book store around is McNally Jackson on Prince St…it’s just a pleasure hanging out there.
I was born in the 90s when the first book store is very popular at that time BOBOHO bookstore .. shop provides all office facilities and schools … I live in a remote village at the time, when you want to enter the new school year, I was invited my parents to go to the city, there is a bookstore bOBOHO far away from my village. journey spent 4 hours using wooden boat with an average speed of 40 miles / hour. really excited me when I was a kid. went to buy a new book and maybe a new handbag.
but now it is a distant memory, it is hard now to find a bookstore is not as much as before, now more and more shops selling mobile phones and reload .. even to the provincial capital itself was very difficult to find especially bookstores bookstores BOBOHO gone swallow the future .. thank you .. This little scribble from me ..
Cheri – true. A Kindle doesn’t fully give one the idea of the amount of things to be read. It’s all reduced down to files…unless we shift to thinking of all that knowledge in terms of disk space or room left on the Kindle.
Plus there would be a reduction of that leisure we associate with bookstores – just going in and reading for hours before deciding what to buy, if you are buying. Harder to do with a Kindle.
A beautiful poignant post, Brian. And regarding your comment to Cheri, what goes away is that wonderful sense of discovery. Happening on a book you totally weren’t expecting as you browse. As much as I love reading the New York Times online, I know I’m missing stories I would stumble across flipping through the actual printed pages of the physical paper.
A Watched Pot Never Boils
I don’t know how long I can keep this up. You’re not the only one, but yours is the only one I follow. Probably because you’re an outsider who’s on the inside. A lovely perspective. Might I add? Thank you. You’ve been too kind.
If I could turn back the time, what would I do? No. That would be the biggest mistake. You like how I ramble when I don’t want to go? But where am I going? I know, where not. I think. Therefore, it must be true. We Should Keep This Up. (Wink.)
Circumnavigate
P = 2?r