“The french publishing group Editis’s short fictional video is about the likely future of books. This video does not represent Editis’s digital strategy regarding the epublishing market. However, it does hope to open discussions on the different economic models and the functionalities of future ebook readers.
Filmed in 2007, this is the latest version with english subtitles. ”

Reading your ideas reminded me somewhat of that video vision.

Addendum: You need to fast forward to 0:47 for the video to actually start.

I haven’t been to Blockbuster in years (Netflix only these days). But the last time I went, the place felt run-down and seedy. B&N does get the mood and ambiance right, even if I can’t remember the last time I actually bought anything there. And I’m always struck that the typical community library arranges the shelves more logically and has a more user-friendly IT system.

Displays of books that have been hand-selected by a knowledgeable staff; things like “Staff Picks”, books that are receiving much attention from the media (whatever constitutes ‘media’ in this future landscape), backlist favorites, etc.

I ALMOST put a table up there in front of the bookshelves for that very purpose, but it got a mite busy.

Re: Community education and textbooks (mentioned by Joe & Ann Marie above).

In the original Perfect Bookstore post, I mentioned that this town has a small liberal arts college about 10 blocks from the county square (this bookstore), and I think I mentioned textbooks there.

So in my mind, I DO see A) ebook textbooks and B) college involvement with this version.

If I were drawing a footprint from scratch, though, I’d have a U-shaped building with a large courtyard in the middle to facilitate the workshops, wine tastings, book club meetings, etc., and the courtyard would be open to foot traffic, so you wouldn’t have to go IN the bookstore to sit in the courtyard.

@Joe: Did you go to BYU? Remember Kinko’s just south of campus? They did that.

– Displays of books that have been hand-selected by a knowledgeable staff; things like “Staff Picks”, books that are receiving much attention from the media (whatever constitutes ‘media’ in this future landscape), backlist favorites, etc.

– The bookstore of my dreams has and will always have handwritten shelf-talkers that make it impossible to resist buying books. These add character, flavor and personality to the store, sets it apart from any others.

– Community Education: Your concept fits my definition of what a bookstore is: a place to acquire information, entertainment, and inspiration. With the exception of the physical book, existing bookstores have given much of that away for free. It’s going to have to come at a cost in this model in order to keep the lights on and the Espresso machines running. My idea: community learning on the order of The Learning Connection in New England or The Learning Annex in NYC. Less expensive than a college extension program, this model pays a small honorarium to members of the community with expertise (financial planner, knitting instructor, wine shop owner) to lead workshops in the store. Attendees of workshops pay an affordable fee. Instructor provides store with a list of recommended books around the subject in question. Instructor gets a chance to connect and spread the word about his/her business. Community members get affordable knowledge. Store gets income. A full schedule of these workshops with accompanying book sales can be a substanial income stream for the store if programmed and managed appropriately.

My complaint about your original second floor wasn’t about walking up the stairs, it was that putting the “real” books up there seemed like a condescending afterthought.

Ah, well. It was an afterthought. Not condescending. Two for two!

Sounds brilliant.

Yes, I do think it’s a bit, ah, strange that someone would take offense over a building whose specs have been identified, and whose use is hypothetical to begin with. I also have the disclaimer that I’m not an industrial designer and not to take me to task for things like no bathrooms, no emergency exits, no space between the bookshelves to turn around twice if you’re built like a brick shithouse. There are A TON of things wrong with it, not just disabled inaccessibility.

I assume, in general, that Americans (including I) aren’t used to having to climb stairs because we’re used to sprawling chain bookstores, big-box stores, and malls. If anyone should be offended by my tone, it’s people who just don’t want to climb stairs. Including me.

Lastly, the comment itself was a tongue-in-cheek jab at Guy LeCharles Gonzales upthread who whined at me on Twitter one day about not wanting to climb the stairs.

I’m sorry that you were offended, but I’m more sorry I can’t make an offhand remark without offending someone.