Borders has announced that 200 Waldenbooks book stores are set to be closed; current Waldenbooks employees report that the company plans to trash hundreds of thousands of books. The Borders book trashing has inspired a Facebook protest.
Because of the recession, libraries, schools, civic organizations and even nations are struggling to fund reading materials. They would welcome book donations but Borders has determined that the least socially responsible course of action is better bottom line solution.
It’s not a new problem, pulping has been going on for a long time: The publishing industry makes some decent arguments for it, but in this era of on-demand printing, eBooks, and just-in-time inventory management, maybe they should rethink their business plan.
Tragic Book Trashing
Borders to Destroy Tens of Thousands of Books as Waldenbooks Closes
Trend Themes
1. Decline of Bookstores - The closure of Waldenbooks highlights the ongoing decline of physical bookstores, creating opportunities for innovative digital platforms or subscription services.
2. Book Donations - Amidst the trashing of books, there is a growing demand for book donations, presenting an opportunity for organizations to create efficient processes for collecting and redistributing books.
3. Shift to Digital Reading - The rise of eBooks and on-demand printing signifies a shift towards digital reading, prompting opportunities for companies to develop innovative digital publishing and distribution platforms.
Industry Implications
1. Digital Publishing - With the growing popularity of digital reading, there is a need for disruptive innovations in the digital publishing industry, such as interactive eBooks or augmented reality storytelling experiences.
2. Donation Organizations - As the demand for book donations increases, there is a need for innovative organizations that can efficiently collect, sort, and redistribute books to libraries, schools, and other institutions in need.
3. Subscription Services - In the wake of physical bookstore closures, there is an opportunity for subscription-based platforms to offer curated book selections and personalized reading experiences for avid readers.