tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5284446320251611266.post9005679668331534528..comments2024-03-22T13:31:45.213-04:00Comments on HoCo Connect: Borders Closes----Are Libraries Next?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5284446320251611266.post-76426947695198064782011-07-21T15:09:02.199-04:002011-07-21T15:09:02.199-04:00Libraries are here to stay as long as they follow ...Libraries are here to stay as long as they follow Howard County's lead in positioning themselves as educational institutions that are indispensable to the community. It then doesn't matter what format books are, because we will continue to offer self-directed education for customers (via online or print materials), teach classes for children, teens, and adults, and offer experiences such as the spelling bee, Battle of the Books, and others that engage customers.Christiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07359179871146013772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5284446320251611266.post-15041689395761230862011-07-21T12:56:51.429-04:002011-07-21T12:56:51.429-04:00Maybe Borders is closing because people are going ...Maybe Borders is closing because people are going in, browsing the books, spending $4 bucks on coffee, and not buying the books?<br /><br />In that case, let's get the County to start building cafes in the libraries.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12326402604719615524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5284446320251611266.post-3967155961436101282011-07-20T20:22:19.984-04:002011-07-20T20:22:19.984-04:00First off, I'm not sure how much of Borders cl...First off, I'm not sure how much of Borders closing has to do with e-readers vs. Borders getting killed by Amazon in price competition. Secondly, because libraries are run by the government, they will probably be around in a form very similar to what they are now, long after public tastes have shifted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5284446320251611266.post-77650382250925067862011-07-20T11:49:34.422-04:002011-07-20T11:49:34.422-04:00I will miss Borders as well. Used to shop/browse ...I will miss Borders as well. Used to shop/browse there at least once or twice per week. <br /><br />One point of distinction between Borders and libraries, or even Borders vs. Barnes & Noble, is that Borders failed to live up to its potential as a "third place" destination. <br /><br />Our library system is a meeting place for many local groups. Barnes & Noble did a better job than Borders in this regard with their children's zones. Moreover, I rarely found the Borders Cafe as a great spot for working compared to Starbucks or Mad City (the latter being my current locale).<br /><br />Also, as a new Friend of Howard County Library System, I believe that the connection between libraries and their communities will help keep physical libraries going for some time to come. At least I hope that is the case.Jason Boomshttp://boomsresearch.comnoreply@blogger.com