Borders announcement of the closing of 200 of their largest bookstores fuels speculation about the future of bookstores. Before public librarians celebrate an expected resurgence in library use among those who prefer to browse for books they can touch, consider The New York Times story, Publishers Look Beyond Bookstores, February 27 which reported that publishers are forming unusual partnerships to sell books.
Retailers such as Target, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie are reporting an increases in book sales. Higher end clothier Marc Jacobs has added books to his selling floors.
Princeton Public Library retail style book displays.
Copying retail store book displays was the trend in library design and it is a good start. Libraries can take another cue from the lifestyle marketing experts and create partnerships with their local retailers. Imagine walking into a public library and seeing a garden book display accompanied by a display of pots, seeds and garden gloves for sale by the local nursery.
Imagine the interest this Princeton Public Library book display might draw if the pamphlet stand were replaced with product for sale.
Display space could be rented to store owners in the community much like many libraries lease space for cafes in the library.
Galvanized steel and wood finishes anchor this Jackson Library Cafe. Design by Globus Design Associates.
No doubt this concept would take some tight management to make it work, but in this day of shrinking budgets and increased competition among information service providers, this type of partnership could create a much needed draw and opportunity to increase community awareness and user experience for public libraries.
