July 18, 2011
Borders revealed today that it was unable to arrange for a buyer to keep its doors open. Four hundred stores will be closed and 11,000 people will be left jobless. This was not the goal of the executives at the nation’s second largest bookstore chain. According to Publisher’s Weekly, sales will start this Friday! Shira […]
July 12, 2011
The small Spanish company 24symbols has started a new free digital sharing website. The user must be willing to see a few ads, according to the chief executive, Aitor Grandes. Another option is to pay a small fee to avoid the ads. Currently 1,000 titles are available and he hopes to reach 30,000 by year’ […]
July 11, 2011
Not too long ago Israel celebrated Hebrew Book Week, an event that draws thousands to outdoor booths in several cities for serious browsing and buying. One aspect of this literary holiday that really struck my fancy was when the members of the Knesset (Parliament) took turns reading from their favorite children’s stories while discussing their […]
July 7, 2011
As in the United States, the United Kingdom is debating drastic cuts to public spending that goes to schools, social services and — you guessed it — libraries. But today, pro-library activists in Gloucester, England, successfully defended their county’s libraries. Though the City Council was planning to completely withdraw funding from two thirds of the […]
July 3, 2011
By early August Borders should have the details worked out regarding its store closings and payments to creditors. The goal has been to complete talks and deals as early as possible and recoup losses for suppliers. The number of stores to close is still unknown. Shira S.
July 2, 2011
New York Times book critic Dwight Garner describes how his family plays the “paperback game,” as well as variations using Bartlett’s quotations and poetry anthologies. How about you – have you played your own version of the “paperback game”? Please share! ~ Olivia M.
July 1, 2011
In response to changing market conditions (more online sales) bookstores are considering bringing in revenue by charging admission to an author event or requiring a book purchase. In the past this would have been unthinkable. This NY Times article discusses different opinions of store owners on this practice and buyers’ behavior in their stores. Shira […]
July 1, 2011
Two articles were recently posted on our blog that address the same question: in our increasingly technology-driven age, are libraries obsolete? As a bookworm and library employee, one could justifiably say that I am heavily biased toward a resounding “no.” But even so, I think that we should get into the substance of this question.
June 30, 2011
The Chicago Tribune has reported that a new school in Echo Park, California has been named in honor of author Sandra Cisneros. The Sandra Cisneros Learning Academy will serve elementary and middle school students and will open in the fall. Although there are other schools named for authors, it is a rare honor. Cisnero’s family is […]
June 30, 2011
Who said readers are not light on their toes? Book fans who participated in the recent Printers Row Lit Fest held in Chicago June 4-5 were treated to this wonderful surprise dance in honor of literacy. Writer Rick Kogan starts off the event slowly, but don’t worry, it takes off very quickly! Shira S.
