Comments on: The Bookstore of the Future is… a Tree Museum? http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/ loudpoet.com: Blogging it like it is since 2003 Tue, 01 May 2012 20:02:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: dvd_duplication http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2673 dvd_duplication Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:54:37 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2673 I have not much time, but I've got many useful things here, love it! I have not much time, but I've got many useful things here, love it!

]]> By: KatMeyer http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2607 KatMeyer Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:45:34 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2607 It's not a bookless bookstore that MoJo has proposed, though. It worries me when discussions about utilizing new publishing technologies become polarizing arguments where one must supposedly choose: paper or plastic. <br><br>There are complex issues involved, not the least of which is - book publishing as an industry is facing a very real threat of economic implosion. <br><br>Without incorporating new solutions to both the production and distribution of books (and I use the term "books" rather loosely and without prejudice), readers and authors are going to find a void where there used to be publishers and booksellers and libraries and all the other facilitators who have for quite a long time been getting the content from the creators to their audience. <br><br>There's no one solution that is going to work. And the beauty of it is, many solutions working together means a diversity of content, a diversity of distribution, and a diversity of formats. One need not eschew the handbound letter press book in order to enjoy a digitally delivered novella on their iphone. But, the economic reality calls for open minded consideration of options. One size does not fit all -- and that's a good thing. It's not a bookless bookstore that MoJo has proposed, though. It worries me when discussions about utilizing new publishing technologies become polarizing arguments where one must supposedly choose: paper or plastic.

There are complex issues involved, not the least of which is – book publishing as an industry is facing a very real threat of economic implosion.

Without incorporating new solutions to both the production and distribution of books (and I use the term “books” rather loosely and without prejudice), readers and authors are going to find a void where there used to be publishers and booksellers and libraries and all the other facilitators who have for quite a long time been getting the content from the creators to their audience.

There's no one solution that is going to work. And the beauty of it is, many solutions working together means a diversity of content, a diversity of distribution, and a diversity of formats. One need not eschew the handbound letter press book in order to enjoy a digitally delivered novella on their iphone. But, the economic reality calls for open minded consideration of options. One size does not fit all — and that's a good thing.

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2606 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:18:38 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2606 Coming from a self-professed gadget geek, that's saying something! :-) Coming from a self-professed gadget geek, that's saying something! :-)

]]> By: Girliegeek3152 http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2605 Girliegeek3152 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:43:16 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2605 Where's the enjoyment of the bookstore if they aren't any to touch and feel and smell. A book is so much more than the sense of sight. Where's the enjoyment of the bookstore if they aren't any to touch and feel and smell. A book is so much more than the sense of sight.

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2603 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:57:32 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2603 Don't get me wrong; I think there's a place for an Espresso machine in bookstores, but having them be the focus, the primary source of all available printed product in the store... that makes no sense to me. It's a complementary technology, allowing for more selective inventory without risking losing a sale to special order requests. Don't get me wrong; I think there's a place for an Espresso machine in bookstores, but having them be the focus, the primary source of all available printed product in the store… that makes no sense to me. It's a complementary technology, allowing for more selective inventory without risking losing a sale to special order requests.

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2602 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:52:49 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2602 "Book concierge" is a nice notion, but it's an empty digital buzzword for something that already exists in almost every independent bookstore of note in the country. And replicating the benefits of an online model in a brick-and-mortar store while eliminating the unique benefits of that physical presence... it's highly illogical, Captain!<br><br>Jovan's model primarily appeals to the Cult of Steve Jobs who think Apple Retail Stores are an innovative retail concept instead of just being a smartly executed brand extension. I don't believe it translates to books, though; as an addition to a B&N or Borders, perhaps, but definitely not for the typical indie bookseller. “Book concierge” is a nice notion, but it's an empty digital buzzword for something that already exists in almost every independent bookstore of note in the country. And replicating the benefits of an online model in a brick-and-mortar store while eliminating the unique benefits of that physical presence… it's highly illogical, Captain!

Jovan's model primarily appeals to the Cult of Steve Jobs who think Apple Retail Stores are an innovative retail concept instead of just being a smartly executed brand extension. I don't believe it translates to books, though; as an addition to a B&N or Borders, perhaps, but definitely not for the typical indie bookseller.

]]> By: Paul http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2601 Paul Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:32:46 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2601 I agree. Bookshops should contain books not machines for making books. I spend a lot of time in second hand book stores, sometimes I just go in to take deep breaths and smell the books. And think about all the humans who have pondered and been entertained by those amazing objects. A book is so much more than the text it contains. My ideal bookstore would be a chaos of books overflowing the shelves and a small, regular, equally obsessed clientelle/community. I agree. Bookshops should contain books not machines for making books. I spend a lot of time in second hand book stores, sometimes I just go in to take deep breaths and smell the books. And think about all the humans who have pondered and been entertained by those amazing objects. A book is so much more than the text it contains. My ideal bookstore would be a chaos of books overflowing the shelves and a small, regular, equally obsessed clientelle/community.

]]> By: Kat Meyer http://loudpoet.com/2009/07/27/the-bookstore-of-the-future-is-a-tree-museum/comment-page-1/#comment-2598 Kat Meyer Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:03:31 +0000 http://loudpoet.com/?p=3007#comment-2598 wow. i totally disagree. I think Moriah's model is a salvation to the community aspect of bookstores. It implies readers/book buyers are visiting the bookstore specifically for: a. the expertise of the bookseller, and b. the community of fellow book lovers.<br>The beauty is - it's NOT like the Blockbuster model at all. It's a physical brick and mortar manifestation of the netflix model. If one jumps ahead to the possible future where all titles currently available as print are also available via ebook and espresso/POD - there are no limitations to how such a gathering place could serve book loving communities. This model perfectly pairs the knowledge of a community bookseller with full access to any/all titles their customers could ever want while providing a place for the community to gather. <br>Plus, it eliminates shipping costs, warehousing, returns, and other not-so-perfect parts of the current book industry model.<br>I'm all for it. I think it's brilliant. I think it's a win-win, or could be. What I like best about it is the model recognizes the importance of, and provides a viable way to support the booksellers/book sales reps: who could be better referred to as book concierges in such a model. Those individuals who have incredible amounts of knowledge about books and their communities can continue to provide their invaluable services in a store such as Moriah envisions. Authors can continue to do events at such a store. Book Groups can continue to have book group gatherings. <br>I luv it. wow. i totally disagree. I think Moriah's model is a salvation to the community aspect of bookstores. It implies readers/book buyers are visiting the bookstore specifically for: a. the expertise of the bookseller, and b. the community of fellow book lovers.
The beauty is – it's NOT like the Blockbuster model at all. It's a physical brick and mortar manifestation of the netflix model. If one jumps ahead to the possible future where all titles currently available as print are also available via ebook and espresso/POD – there are no limitations to how such a gathering place could serve book loving communities. This model perfectly pairs the knowledge of a community bookseller with full access to any/all titles their customers could ever want while providing a place for the community to gather.
Plus, it eliminates shipping costs, warehousing, returns, and other not-so-perfect parts of the current book industry model.
I'm all for it. I think it's brilliant. I think it's a win-win, or could be. What I like best about it is the model recognizes the importance of, and provides a viable way to support the booksellers/book sales reps: who could be better referred to as book concierges in such a model. Those individuals who have incredible amounts of knowledge about books and their communities can continue to provide their invaluable services in a store such as Moriah envisions. Authors can continue to do events at such a store. Book Groups can continue to have book group gatherings.
I luv it.

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