Main Street Bookstore Success
Mary Neben
When I worked as director in the public library sector, the days the library received new books were exciting. There is something about a box of new books that sent an adrenalin rush through the entire staff. We would be so excited to get “new” books that we’d lose ourselves in opening the boxes. And as director I often had the opportunity of “hands on” first.
Library Directors know the necessity of advocating to their board and the city counsel the importance of the material budget item line in the fiscal year budget presentation. One year, when I was presenting the library’s proposed budget to the city counsel, I told them that the library has to have the “products” the patron wants or they won’t come to the library. I compared it to a grocery store that doesn’t sell the product you want. To obtain that you will go to a different store and maybe not go back to the one that didn’t have what you wanted. The same goes for a library. If the library cannot supply what the patron wants, they will seek it someplace else.
I’m now working in the special library area as the Transportation Resource Librarian for the Nebraska Department of Roads. The library strives to meet the various requests of the engineers and NDOR employees for material so that the Transportation Library is a stop for resource material. I’m not in the public library setting but as a librarian the excitement in receiving new material hasn’t diminished.
Since moving to Lincoln I have been in the large bookstores and have made comments to my family about how busy a bookstore can be. When I walk into a bookstore the feeling is close to what it felt like when opening a new box of books. And I have thought about the difference between a public library and a commercial bookstore. Why are commercial bookstores so popular? Why do some people go to a bookstore and spend money to purchase material when they could go to a library and look for the items at the library?
I came up with the following thoughts of why the Barnes & Nobles or Borders of this world are so successful. Number one, the majority of the time the bookstore has on hand what you want. And if they don’t, the timeline to obtain the item is pretty short. Number two, the staff easily fit into a strong service category. They are happy to assist you, answer questions and show you where something is located. The staff is very accommodating. Number three, the material is attractively arranged, easy to find and well organized. Browsing is encouraged and the lighting is very good. Number four, there is something for everyone at the bookstore in a variety of formats. From Mom and Dad to the kids and grandparents the current selection is great. A person can find cookbooks, self-help books, fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks, stuffed toys, color books, magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, etc. All of the material is new and available. No waiting list for a new, current title. Number five, usually there is easy access to the bookstore. By that I mean no steps to get into the building. And there is plenty of parking available. Number six, the bookstores encourage people to sit and read. Notice the coffee shops and sweet snacks at the newer bookstores. Anytime I have gone into a bookstore with a coffee corner I see people reading at the tables while sipping their coffee. Number seven, there is a respectful atmosphere in the bookstore. It is a pleasant place to want to spend some time.
There are several negatives. First of all, you have to pay for the material. Unlike the public, special, school and academic libraries where you can borrow the material, you have to pay for what you want. This also means that you have to be able to afford to purchase any material that catches your eye. The larger bookstores are a commercial business so they “market” their products the best way that they can. Second, the bookstores lack the depth needed for reference material. I like to think that the non-commercial libraries offer a greater depth of reference material than the bookstore. The libraries research capabilities should far outweigh the commercial bookstore.
With budgets being scrutinized and trimmed in all areas of the library, librarians need to do what they can to keep the material flow current. Material priority and good staffing are two essentials in the library world. That’s what the bookstores rely on to promote healthy sales. Like the bookstores we librarians need to continue to advocate for new material and to encourage staff professionalism. If the libraries don’t keep pace with what people want they will go someplace else to get it. Like a bookstore! And remember that staff does play an important role in how the patron perceives the library. Does the library worker act glad to see the patron? Is the staff courteous and willing to help? Does the library keep pace with what the patrons needs are? Is the material current? Do you have good seating that encourages reading? Do you have good lighting? If you can answer yes to all of these questions, you don’t have to worry about bookstore competition. People will value the library for what it has to offer.
