A Starbucks and a bookstore inside a public library reshaped a small Japanese town
Japan's book scene is moving from bookstores to libraries
In 2013, the bookstore chain Tsutaya opened a public library in Takeo, a small city in Kyushu, adding a Starbucks and a bookstore inside. Visitors came from far away, residents lingered around books, and communities formed. The author, a book lover who seeks out libraries abroad, argues that such places work because they are public: anyone can gather without buying anything. He visits a library in Nankan, population 9,000, where shelves lead from local history outward to the wider world.
A great building can be bought. A great shelf has to be grown.
- tecleandor
Some corrections to the article...
The first example, Takeo City library, wasn't opened by Tsutaya in 2013. That's a public (government) library that already existed from 2000, remodeled, and when reopening in 2013 they partnered with Tsutaya so they could have a small books/stationery shop in the library. There's a Starbucks too... I think Tsutaya might be managing part of the library, but it's not like they opened a library.
Seems like it's a program that Tsutaya is doing around the country, some sort of public/private arrangements where they do management and they add a small shop. I have mixed feelings about it, and I hope the libraries don't depend on Tsutaya's funding. For me libraries should be a totally public endeavor, and their decisions on policies or titles shouldn't be on risk because of funding pressure.
A couple links in English...
https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/users/guest-posts/the-cc...
https://publishingperspectives.com/2015/10/in-japan-a-gorgeo...
- akman
As the author noted, I see libraries becoming more and more centers of community, notably in the Bay Area (California, USA). Just check out the events at all of the Santa Clara County library system (8 libraries that share books): https://sccl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?_gl=1*11u0hec*_ga*M...
Many events aren't even book related-- see events for Lego building, homework help, even Dungeons and Dragons events.
I wonder if there's a resurgence across the world where libraries are places of community sharing.
- _carbyau_
I'm divided.
On the one hand, a quiet, unobtrusive cafe in the library seems nice.
On the other hand, I like the library precisely because it has so little of the advertising/commercial bullshit of every day.
A cafe AND a bookstore trying to sell you stuff feels over the line.
- socalgal2
Starbucks in bookstores? Hasn't that been a thing at Barnes and Noble for 35 years?
Tsutaya has been trying to re-invent itself because yea, it's main businesses, video rental, video/DVD sales, and music CD sales died to digital/streaming. It's not clear it's succeeding. It's unclear how they are doing. They pivoted to bookstore + starbucks + luxury stationery + lifestyle goods. Recently they've been trying co-working spaces "Share Lounge", you can pay by the hour or get monthly subscriptions. Whether this will prevent them from dying is not clear at all.
As for libraries, yes, turning them into community centers sounds great!
That said, I think the blog post is jumping to lots of unfounded conclusions.
- lateatdesk
Found a 2015 statement from Takeo explaining that planned spending on books had been cut by more than half to pay for safety work on the shelving, and CCC also acknowledged that it should have chosen the books more carefully.
- niemandhier
Libraries are one of the few places where one is allowed to exists for free, that also have a limited amount of infrastructure.
- NeutralCrane
The most interesting thing in the article to me is that there was a dual library/bookstore, and that it’s privately owned. I don’t think I’ve encountered a library that wasn’t publicly owned in the US.
- ionwake
I liked the article. Everytime I discoered a unique place I want to tell the world about it and then I realize that could ruin it so I dont.
Its ironic