It probably doesn’t surprise readers, given my posts during Banned Books Week, that I like libraries and bookstores. And while I favor independent and used bookstores when I can (and usually get my books online from Bookshop.org), I have visited various Barnes & Noble stores on several occasions in recent memory.
So I was interested to learn that they’re doing well, even in this age of “is anybody reading?”
On one level, I am amazed by their approach of allowing each bookstore to develop some modicum of its own identity. That’s a level of trust rarely granted by corporate overlords and a level of continual empowerment that I’m certain is daunting at times. That could be why they have James Daunt as CEO, because if you can’t have wordplay in a story about bookstores, when can you?
Seriously though, it is an interesting, if quick video, from how longtime employees note the difference in the corporate management style to how Daunt doesn’t mind Amazon being the current book hegemon.
It makes me hopeful that the industry might be turning a page. Yes, I’m going to keep doing that. Book me.