Bookstore: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Wiki -4 image 3.jpg|thumb|Shown above is a picture of the outside of a '''Barnes & Noble''', a very popular bookstore chain. Barnes & Noble sells a variety of books, including hardcover, paperback, fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, sci-fi, history, and many more.]] | |||
A '''bookstore''' is a place where books are sold. Bookstores can have a variety of books and genres, and some bookstores may focus on selling only one or a few types of books. Bookstores can vary in size, whether they are a [[Bookstore Chain|bookstore chain]] or a bookstore that can only be found in one place. | A '''bookstore''' is a place where books are sold. Bookstores can have a variety of books and genres, and some bookstores may focus on selling only one or a few types of books. Bookstores can vary in size, whether they are a [[Bookstore Chain|bookstore chain]] or a bookstore that can only be found in one place. | ||
== History == | |||
Bookstores originated from Greece and Rome. The earliest "bookstores" started out as small stalls for selling [[Scroll|scrolls]] and manuscripts. Additionally, in the early stages of bookselling, many traveling merchants would carry around books in hopes of selling them during their travels. | |||
After the printing revolution and the invention of the [[Gutenburg press|Gutenberg Press]], books were made more available and were higher in numbers, so there became a demand for booksellers. [[Distributors|Distribution]] throughout the years helped get these books to libraries, universities, and stores, creating what we know today as bookstores. | |||
[[File:Wiki -4 image 2.webp|thumb|Shown above is the '''Dundurn Press Bookshop''', an indie bookstore run by the publisher '''Dundurn Press'''. The bookstore is located in Toronto, Canada, and features exclusively published books from the press. This is their only bookstore location.]] | |||
== Present Day == | |||
[[Independent Booksellers|Independent bookstores]] have been a prominent factor in bookselling today. An independent bookstore is a small bookstore, typically with one location, and is independently owned and operated. Indie bookstores are more community and author based, and have influenced bookselling in the modern world. These indie bookstores rival with bookstore chains, like Barnes & Noble, and therefore small bookstores face a bit of a challenge. However, each indie bookstore has its own following and loyal customers, therefore further emphasizing that sense of community and connection that indie bookstores value. These loyal community members help these bookstores operate. | |||
Additionally, thanks to modern technologies, bookselling has taken place online. Whether through publishers’ websites, bookstore websites, or even large companies like Amazon, bookselling has been made easier because of online access. However, this may have a negative effect on in-person bookstores, as well as physical books because of the rise in trend of Ebooks. | |||
== Notes == | |||
# Winship, Michael. “‘THE TRAGEDY OF THE BOOK INDUSTRY’? BOOKSTORES AND BOOK DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES TO 1950.” Studies in Bibliography, vol. 58, 2007, pp. 145–84. JSTOR, <nowiki>http://www.jstor.org/stable/25735200</nowiki>. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025. | |||
# Robinson, Solveig C. (2014). The Book in Society. Broadview Press: 65-68 | |||
# “Independent Bookstore.” Wikipedia, 19 Sept. 2025. Wikipedia, [[wikipedia:Independent_bookstore#:~:text=An%20independent%20bookstore%20is%20a,partnerships%2C%20cooperatives%2C%20or%20nonprofits.|https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Independent_bookstore&oldid=1312255185.]] | |||
[[Category:Glossary]] | |||
Latest revision as of 09:06, 5 December 2025
A bookstore is a place where books are sold. Bookstores can have a variety of books and genres, and some bookstores may focus on selling only one or a few types of books. Bookstores can vary in size, whether they are a bookstore chain or a bookstore that can only be found in one place.
History
Bookstores originated from Greece and Rome. The earliest "bookstores" started out as small stalls for selling scrolls and manuscripts. Additionally, in the early stages of bookselling, many traveling merchants would carry around books in hopes of selling them during their travels.
After the printing revolution and the invention of the Gutenberg Press, books were made more available and were higher in numbers, so there became a demand for booksellers. Distribution throughout the years helped get these books to libraries, universities, and stores, creating what we know today as bookstores.
Present Day
Independent bookstores have been a prominent factor in bookselling today. An independent bookstore is a small bookstore, typically with one location, and is independently owned and operated. Indie bookstores are more community and author based, and have influenced bookselling in the modern world. These indie bookstores rival with bookstore chains, like Barnes & Noble, and therefore small bookstores face a bit of a challenge. However, each indie bookstore has its own following and loyal customers, therefore further emphasizing that sense of community and connection that indie bookstores value. These loyal community members help these bookstores operate.
Additionally, thanks to modern technologies, bookselling has taken place online. Whether through publishers’ websites, bookstore websites, or even large companies like Amazon, bookselling has been made easier because of online access. However, this may have a negative effect on in-person bookstores, as well as physical books because of the rise in trend of Ebooks.
Notes
- Winship, Michael. “‘THE TRAGEDY OF THE BOOK INDUSTRY’? BOOKSTORES AND BOOK DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES TO 1950.” Studies in Bibliography, vol. 58, 2007, pp. 145–84. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25735200. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
- Robinson, Solveig C. (2014). The Book in Society. Broadview Press: 65-68
- “Independent Bookstore.” Wikipedia, 19 Sept. 2025. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Independent_bookstore&oldid=1312255185.
