A Dying Passion?

Well it's out. You can read about it anywhere and everywhere and depending on who you are you will be upset, happy, or indifferent. Borders bookstore is closing. No this is not just a regional tragedy this is a country wide loss. And while I am sad as employee loosing their job and find it more difficult because of that fact, I am mostly distressed as a loyal and faithful customer. Clearly books are my hobby, my passion, and my work. I love to read them as much as I love to write them.

The reason I am saddened by the loss of Borders is because it is a loss of an era in a way. People are becoming less and less apt to go into a bookstore and pick up a hard copy of a book to read, as e-books and e-readers are becoming more and more popular. I'm not saying that these are bad things or that they shouldn't be there I'm just saying it's not the same. There's nothing quite like curling up with a good book in front of the fire in the winter, or lounging on the beach with a book, or reading to a child and seeing their eyes light up with wonderment and pleasure. To me there will always be joy found in a paper copy of a book. With a hard copy you can tell how well read it is, you can see the history right there on the page and in the binding.

Also as more and more bookstores either independently owned or corporate are closing you are also loosing a wonderful piece of culture. One of the best things about being a part of the book community is being with other people that share the same passion for the things you do. You probably won't like all the same books as someone else but by talking about them and discussing them you may find something new you like. There is a laid back atmosphere about bookshops, yes even the big ones, where you can browse at a leisurely pace, sit and sample the book to see if it's something you're going to like before you buy it, and in a lot of places you can even sit and have a cup of coffee. It isn't just about the selling of the product its about the atmosphere. bookstores are a place where people can go to take a break from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and escape into another world if even for a little while.

The other day while we were preparing for the start of our liquidation sale one of my co-workers compared what was happening to the closing of The Shop Around the Corner in You've Got Mail. Despite the fact that we are a large company our store especially is in a smaller area and so there are many customers who are regulars who we know and they know us. There is more than just sales people and customers there are Borders Friends and Family. I love when I can be at work and have discussions with customers about favorite books, books we've heard about, writing, etc. It is this sense of community that is such a loss.

However fear not faithful readers and booklovers there is hope. As long as people are willing to buy books there will be books. Keep in mind that if books are something you are passionate about then you need to support them or they will go away. Seek them out, buy them, share them, save them. Books are wonderful things tomes of knowledge, escapes to another world, even just great ways to relax and clear your mind. Books will stay around as long as those who love them are willing to buy them.

As an extra little note I would just like to ask any of you going into a Borders bookstore during the final days and sale days to keep something in mind. We as employees are more than willing to help you and wait on you but we need something from you in return. We need your patience and understanding. There are thousands of people going into all of the stores daily and there are only a handful of us employees there. Please try to bear with us and remember as upset as you are about whatever it maybe the people waiting on you are about to loose their jobs and don't need the constant reminding and sharp jabs to make things any worse. Thanks you for your patience and indulgence in listing to my little rant.