[CIB-173RDABN]

Bonnie Stuppin, one of the owners of Alexander Book Company, said the SoMa bookstore will likely shutter toward the end of April after 32 years of service. The reason, she says, is because downtown San Francisco offices aren’t nearly as packed as they used to be.

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There was a time I would visit a bookstore at least once a week, but I don’t think I have been inside a book store in over ten years. Not that I stopped reading, but because I can get almost any book on line and most free! All of the classic books are on line (you may have to search but they are there).

Getting up there in years I have been slowly “de cluttering” my home (so someone else won’t have to do it). I gave away over 99% of my extensive library and now only have a few hardbound books left on the shelve.

I think the reason for closure is true to a degree but it is only a small part, the real change is why get a book to carry around when with a kindle or smart phone you can carry your library?

[Myrddin]

I buy a lot of technical titles for domain knowledge in software engineering. On a given contract, I might need 10 or more books to cover unusual requirements. For a while, I purchased paper books and had a full shelf and home and a select set at my employer provided office. Along the way, some of my books in my employer provided office sprouted legs. Gone forever. I stopped bringing paper books to work. Instead, I purchased e-books in PDF format and made DVD or Bluray disks with my titles. Less weight to carry. Searchable. Easier to protect from theft.

I'm turning 67 this year. Like you, I need to begin the process of shedding unnecessary contents of my 3900 sq ft house. There is way too much stuff here.