After forty years in business, Borders Bookstore is closing its doors. The book store chain that started in Ann Arbor Michigan in the early ’70’s, and eventually expanded to over 1,200 stores world wide, is bankrupt. Store number one, in Ann Arbor, is scheduled to close its doors for the last time, later this month. I wonder how many book lovers will miss it.
I know one pastor who will. He actually ‘unofficially” set up his office in one corner of the busy bookstore/library/gathering place in his town, where he spent hours of his week so that he could have all the latest books to browse and a wide open space for casual visits with parishioners and friends, not to mention the fresh brewed coffee from the coffee bar at one end of the store. Of course he, like so many others these days, was more likely to actually purchase any books he wanted to own through the internet bookselling giant Amazon.
Oh yea, the internet.
One of Border’s significant mistakes was to not jump on board the trend toward the new technology of today. In the late 90’s, Borders did set up a web presence to sell books, but within three years they handed their online business to Amazon. It was a decision they tried to reverse in the last couple of years of their existence, but they never did catch up to the budding ebook market, while Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook began to dominate the market.
I love books. I read all the time. But the last time I visited an actual bookstore, I could not help but notice the empty aisles and the conspicuous absence of customers. Of course, while the demand for hard copy published books is alive and well, there is a growing interest in the quick and easy world of ebooks. Add to that the trend for shoppers to sit in the comfort of their home while doing their shopping in their pajamas across the internet. Here are some interesting statistics. While the total sales of print media rose to an impressive 11.25 Billion dollars in 2010, ebook sales grew that same year by 164.4 percent to 441.3 million dollars, making up the bulk of the 3.6 percent increase of overall print media sales. So by now you might be asking “What is your point?”
As one preacher I knew would occasionally plead with his hearers; “Please do not hear what I am NOT saying”. Print media will always be a very effective means of communicating the message of the gospel. In fact, with the evolving technology of today, it has become easier than ever to publish the message you carry. We as the church must be wise to the times and continue to utilize all means possible to get the word out. As for me, I will not miss Borders. I get my coffee at Starbucks and my books through Amazon.