This week's Booking Through Thursday asks: What would you do if, all of a sudden, your favorite source of books was unavailable? Whether it’s a local book shop, your town library, or an internet shop … what would you do if, suddenly, they were out of business? Devastatingly, and with no warning? Where would you go for books instead? What would you do? If it was a local business you would try to help out the owners? Would you just calmly start buying from some other store? Visit the library in the next town instead? Would it be devastating? Or just a blip in your reading habit?
I have three main sources for books: the our beautiful public library, McKay Used Books, and Paperback Swap. I would be least devastated if PBS went under, as I know there are other internet swaps out there. But the library and McKay's! I would indeed by devastated. We go to the library at least once each week. I consider the library a vital part of our lives not only for the usual reasons but also because we use it so heavily for homeschooling. The same for McKay's. They have a fabulous selection of books and CDs, and I also find lots of homeschooling materials there.
We have a small chain bookstore (Hastings) and a book warehouse and a Christian booksotre, but I rarely go into them. It is hard for me to pay full price for books when I know I can either borrow them or get them for so much less used. Knoxville used to have a small bookseller I loved —David-Kidd— but they went out of business in KnoxVegas when the big guys moved in. I rarely go into the Big Guys up in Knoxville (Borders, B&N, Books-a-Million), but I hear we are getting one of those here in our ever-growing small town. I'll probably stop in for coffee and quiet every now and then...
(Want to join the discussion? Head on over to Booking Through Thursday!)
Your public library really is beautiful - I can see why you like to go there. Yes, that's one of the best things about Borders - the coffee and quiet. Better than the book selection, actually!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite independent new-and-used bookstore went out of business this fall, and I was so sad, for both them and myself!
ReplyDeleteBut if my library were unavailable, I don't know what I would do. Probably go into mourning and wear sackcloth and ashes. It would not be good.
Ditto to jlshall: your library looks great!
ReplyDeleteI too love libraries, so much, in fact, that I got married in one back in January...you can see it here: http://www.kclibrary.org/about/locations.cfm?locID=2
I'll probably post actual pictures sometime soon. What could be better than getting married in the Grand Reading Room?
The library is a wonderful gift to give to your children, and as a homeschooling mom, you must be doing a great job to take them on a weekly basis. My daughter homeschools her four children and takes them every Saturday.
ReplyDeleteIf my public library suddenly disappeared, I would be in a world of hurt indeed, because that would mean my job just left with it! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWe also have a Hastings in my hometown, and a B&N. I used to buy books all the time, but now I just carry them home from the library. My book buying habit has dropped to maybe one every month or so (just my absolute favorite authors get bought now, instead of whatever looks interesting while browsing).
Readerville, what a great idea, to get married in a library! Too bad I'm already married or I'd do that too! ;-) I checked out the library website - what a beautiful library. I just love older libraries.
Anyway, I'm also here to tell SmallWorlds that I nominated you for the Arte y Pico award. Check it out here: http://nonfictionlover.today.com/2008/07/09/arte-y-pico-award I thought your blog was by far the most deserving book blog that I've read. :-)
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Hava