Learning from the Mega-Bookstores - Borders has Lessons for Libraries

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by dhado

Text discusses why a library might consider selling books already on its shelves, inspired by the busy Borders bookstore experience. It argues librarians should look beyond traditional practice with adventurous, even outrageous ideas, using superstore performance as evidence. It highlights a case study where a library director worked part-time at Barnes & Noble to study operations, cataloging needs, job satisfaction, and staff routines, linking these observations to broader lessons for libraries.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time14 min

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Learning from the Mega-BookstoresBorders has Lessons for Libraries

PEG,CLA's Program for Educational Grants

Where Wizards StayUp Late:The Originsof the Internet

Looking at Books

Volume 39,Number 6 # Learning from the Mega-BookstoresBorders has Lessons for Libraries Joseph J.Cadieux “Why doesn't the library start sellingbooks?"the new first selectman askedme.He wasn't talking about an an-nual book sale,or even about settingup a library store.Shockingly,whathe was asking me was,why doesn'tthe library sell the books it already hason its shelves,its cataloged collection. My mouth opened like a castle draw-bridge.I said,incredulously,"Mr.firstselectman,sir,perhaps you don't un-derstand how a library works..."Hethen went on to tell me that he hadvisited Borders bookstore on Sunday,and couldn't find a parking space be-cause it was so busy.He smiled,“Who's to say the library couldn't alsosell its books?" My head was spinning.Could we ac-tually sell the books right off ourshelves?Well,why not?Whycouldn't we give our patrons the optionto either borrow or buy,as long asitems could be restocked within thestandard loan period.If the book is inprint,available,and cataloged,thengetting a replacement copy quicklyback on the shelf shouldn't be too diffi-cult.“Attention library shoppers:AllDewey numbers 640-710 will be onsale for the next 30 minutes!" The point of the first selectman's littlecaprice wasn't that we should reallybe selling our stock,but rather thatanything is possible these days.Librar-ians have to look beyond their profes-sion for new ideas,and become a bitadventurous,and maybe even a littleoutrageous. Take the super bookstores for instance,please.They have certainly been suc-cessful.Last year Barnes &Noble,thenation's largest bookseller with 439superstores,increased its sales 23.8%to nearly $2.45 billion.Borders in-creased sales by 12%to nearly $2 bil-lion and is planning to open about 40more stores this year.Maybe thesesuperstores can teach librarians a thingor two. Just what are these Goliaths doingright?Betsy McDonough,intrepid di-rector of the Danbury Public Library,decided to find out for herself.She ap-plied for a part-time job in the eve-nings at Barnes &Noble to snooparound in search of the secrets of theirsuccess.She watched as non-librar-ians organized a huge inventory of un-cataloged books,and stillfound thetitles they wanted,just as easily assomeone using an OPAC and theDewey system.“My bookstore experi-ence made me look more critically atthe need for and costs of cataloging,itbroadened my views on how to in-crease job satisfaction for clerks,andhas helped me to better utilize staff,"says McDonough. McDonough adds that all employeesof Barnes &Noble,in addition tostocking the shelves and providing cus-tomer service,have mandatory stintscleaning the public restrooms.“So,it's not all glitter and glamour behindthe wood paneling and plush carpets!" The Barnes &Noble mission statement,which is three paragraphs long,ends:Continued on page 6 June 1997 ## PEG,CLA'sProgram forEducational Grants 人PEG grants fund up to 50-70 percent of some ex-penses for continuing educationprograms,workshops,seminars,courses,institutes,and other typesof study.PEG does not fund coursework leading to or part of an MLSdegree program. 人PEG applicants are drawnfrom all levels of librarywork,including staff,volunteers,trustees,and friends.CLA mem-bership is required at the time ofapplication. 人Applications may be re-quested from the Connecti-cut Library Association,P.O.Box1046,Norwich,CT06360-1046,phone 885-2758,fax885-2757;orfrom Marian Amodeo,PEG Chair,Lucy Robbins Welles Library,95Cedar Street,Newington,CT06111,phone(860)665-8720 orfax(860)667-1255.四 ## Where Wizards StayUp Late:The Originsof the Internet Katie Hafner and Matthew Lyon A Review by Vince Juliano “Is this going to slow me down whenI'm searching for biology statistics?"asked my college senior son.It wasDecember 1995,and I had just tried toimpress him with the World Wide Weband how libraries were going to use it Fancy typefaces and pictures on theInternet caught my son's attention.Thiswas not the plain vanilla Internet hek

FAQs

Why does the first selectman suggest libraries might sell books?

He asks why a library does not sell the books it already has, implying similar selection and inventory could be offered in a library context.

What approach does the article propose for selling library books?

It suggests giving patrons the option to borrow or buy while ensuring items can be restocked within the standard loan period, especially when books are in print, available, and cataloged.

How does the article use super bookstores to support its argument?

It cites sales growth at Barnes & Noble and Borders and describes a library director’s firsthand effort to study Barnes & Noble’s practices and results.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by dhado