Yesterday’s front page article the “Bookstore’s Last Stand” also had a lot to infer about the future of libraries. “For all publishers, it’s really important that brick-and-mortar retailers survive…” Publishers want Barnes and Noble to survive because they will make more money. The article also cited the browse factor of bookstores which is where, I believe, there is a correlation between bookstores and libraries. We provide the browse factor that used to be available more widely (think of Walden Books, B. Dalton, Borders, etc.) . I like to browse and hope that libraries will continue to exist to provide that service and convenience.
