Local committee working to bring major bookstore to Laredo
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Dec 21, 2009
Story Updated:
Dec 21, 2009
Time is running out before Laredo becomes the largest city in the nation without a bookstore.
News of B. Dalton closing was devastating to so many people.
Now, one committee is trying show big bookstores, Laredo reads with plenty of readers ready for business.
"With the closing of B. Dalton, it has left a major gap in our city."
People like Maria Soliz are banding together to form the Laredo Reads committee. Their main goal: to get a big chain bookstore to open up in Laredo.
"We’re trying to promote the bring back a bookstore because we need more culture, we need more education outlets and of course the bookstore is a great place to do it."
"I think that Laredo being the size it is and having 2 major schools, TAMIU and LCC, students need books and people need books. I think we learn about other people through books."
Once B. Dalton closes its doors January 16th, Laredo will officially be the largest city without a bookstore and that's devastating to avid readers. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, 30% of residents here live below the poverty line and 37% of adults here don't even have a high school diploma.
Despite those numbers, the committee passed around a petition at tonight's council meeting showing Laredo does read.
"We will have an online petition at laredoreads.com if you would like to do it online but we'll also have pen and paper petitions at City Hall and the Laredo Public Library. So we encourage the public if they want a major bookstore in Laredo to come on by and sign it."
And we found a fourth grader who came out tonight to support the cause and sign the petition.
"I like reading because it gives me more imagination to what I already have. It gives me a better future and it’s very important to have books so that we can learn more about new things."
For now, readers will have to enjoy these last weeks of B. Dalton and hope a big chain bookstore will open up soon.
Barnes and Nobles has decided to close all B. Dalton bookstores nationwide.
Again, Laredo’s store in the mall will close January 16th.
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UTMale said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 12:53 AM
Yes the city should "invest" more money in2 bringing more book stores in2 Lrdo, since Lrdo doesn't have a single library,oh wait! The city DOES HAVE a library as a matter of fact aren't there more then 3 locations??? i have a crazy idea, invest in libraries where getting books are FREE an take that money an purchase more UP-TO-DATE books that local bookstores have?! I don't know its just crazy idea, also try investing in teaching kids to read so they can ACTUALLY go in2 a bookstore and buy books
341268342 bookstores said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 11:06 AM
Tamiu and LCC have bookstores.. make them bigger. or any local investor who wants to risk his money on a bookstore..?? Local business are needed in Laredo.
34149334It is not a crazy Idea said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 11:19 AM
Mr. UT it is a great Idea!! The Libraries are the best tool people from all levels of society to enhance their knowledge, and it is free! We have to realize that. We are living in a different world since 1994. The Internent is the most extensive library in my house. was a dream come true. If i want to buy a book I order it via internet.
34150177PROMETHEUS said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 12:22 PM
I am truely dissappointed. Laredo is a business minded town and yet no one has thought of filling the void left behind by Dalton Books. If not, then we really don't deserve a book store and prove on a nation wide level that we are the illiterate back water inbreds everyone beleives us to be. This is not a problem we need government to solve, it is best solved by capitalism and entrepeneurs.
34157197Kimbo Spice said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 12:50 PM
Of course Laredo doesn't deserve a bookstore. Nobody speaks English here. Look at the clowns that get interviewed on the news. Money needs to be invested in schools so this town stops the cycle of churning out morons. More books were probably stolen out of that store than actually purchased.
34159667Santos said on Tuesday, Dec 22 at 8:31 PM
Our elected officials only support "maquinitas" not books, bookstores or reading. Kimbo Spice is right, no one speaks English here....no wonder McAllen is eating our tacos. Viva Laredo!
34187424Bookstores and Coffee Shop said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 9:26 AM
We do need a bookstore. It's upsetting I have to travel or browse online to buy a book. I like to skim through the books before I purchase; especially baby and recipe books. It would be nice to have a bookstore/coffee shop. People already do it at Starbucks. I've seen many people taking their books, magazines, and newspapers and relaxing there with a fresh cup of coffee or cappuccino...so why not?
34216174cg said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 9:47 AM
We need to first focus on teaching the community to read ,write and SPEAK english before someone decides to open up a book store. Dont get me wrong, I love to read and have bought many books and have even checked out a few from the library, but we need to understand that if we keep treating non english speaking people as handicapped persons and keep accomidating them instead of progressing their lives by teaching them the official USA language, a book store would be a waste.
34217889Responding to cg said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 4:27 PM
I agree with your comment. Yeah yeah people talk about Laredo is hispanic spanish dominated city, blah blah blah...this is the United States and the official language as you said is English. Sadly, Laredo enables the language barrier by continuing to allow communicating just in Spanish, instead of teaching others to speak the English language. One way would be to start early with our children. There have been storytelling session conducted at the Laredo Public Library, but it's a library,
34249269Responding to cg said on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 4:28 PM
and calls for silence. Well, then have the storytelling sessions at the bookstore, if they enjoy the book they are read, they will stay to buy...hint hint...
34249292Cheese and Beer said on Thursday, Dec 24 at 12:36 AM
If the bookstore sold beer and smokes it would not have left our community.
34273327PROMETHEUS said on Friday, Dec 25 at 11:49 AM
Cheese and beer is right and the only reason city officials care is it makes Laredoans look like the inbred yokels they are on the National stage. If it can't be wrapped in a tortilla or bought with lone star, wic, TANF,or other welfare program money the majority of Laredoans won't support it.
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