The liquidation of 'Borders' and the closing of hundreds of bookstores throughout the country is an American tragedy. Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but the closing of our nation's second largest bookstore chain is particularly unfortunate and shocking.
I'll admit, I am one of the thousands of Americans who purchased a new E-Reader. I've ordered a handful of e-books from places like Amazon.com; many of which are half the cost of their paper counterparts. Alas, a computer screen will always be a poor replication of one of the world's greatest inventions; a book. A cold screen is a poor substitute to the touch of a crisp page or subtle smell of ink and aged paper. Even the physical weight of a book reminds us of the tremendous amount of effort that went into its creation.
Recently, during a lunch break, I walked through downtown Chicago to the 'Borders' on State Street (one of the busiest stores in the city). The atmosphere inside the bookstore was unique. A long line wrapped around the counter into the middle of the store. Chicagoans of all ages scrambled to find their favorite books (at up to 40% off). The employees I passed expressed a distinct calmness as they effortlessly maneuvered the madness. The background music was turned up several decibels and it now featured a strange mixture of Nirvana, Metallica, and old Techno. All together, the atmosphere felt like a surreal going away party.
When 'Borders' filed for bankruptcy, it made think back to the bailout of the financial industry. Companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ran this country into the ground; yet our government jumped in to save them. Giving taxpayer dollars to negligent for-profit corporations became national policy.
'Borders' Bookstore is no Angelic organization operating exclusively for the public good. But the American public certainly have an interest in the distribution of books and other media. Public Libraries are increasingly cash strapped and many local libraries cannot afford to purchase new books and technology.
Less access to books is bound to negatively impact society. I present you this with dramatized hypothetical.
Johnny's dad has joint custody with his mother and keeps Johnny and his sister on the weekends. His father takes him and his sister Susie to a local bookstore close to his home. Johnny and Susie's dad likes to browse in this particular bookstore because it's the only store close to his home, has a wider variety of new selections, and has longer hours than the local library. On this day, Johnny's dad is searching the education isle for study guides because he's thinking of going back to school. Johnnys's sister is in the literature section looking for the latest teen bestseller. Johnny just finished the latest Harry Potter book, and now he's looking at a book on animals.
Each of them select a book to purchase and then go home. Maybe Johnny's book on animals inspires him to become a veterinarian. Maybe Susie's selection inspires her to become a writer. Or maybe their dad plows through his study guide and goes on to get a better job that helps pay for his kids college.
Or........ they drive up to the bookstore that day and find an abandoned building.