This letter is in reference to Sue Richards and her letter of July 30th concerning locating a large bookstore to a downtown location and sharing it with local colleges.
We are fortunate in Williamsport to have an excellent bookstore serving the local community. I have utilized this bookstore over the years and their service is excellent. You may even purchase a book by phone and have it delivered to your home typically win the same day. In addition, coffee shops are plentiful in the city and one may easily purchase a cup and browse the downtown bookstore at anytime. Programs for readers are often held at Otto's including readings and signings. In terms of cities and towns that have attracted large chain stores to their downtowns in cooperation with colleges, it should be noted that those colleges are in the immediate vicinity of the downtowns.
This would be an example of Bucknell and Wilkes. In Williamsport, while both colleges are located near the downtown, neither is an actual downtown college where students would view the city as part of their campus. Chain bookstores do have a place. Usually, as in the case of Williamsport, it is located at the shopping mall. But, a small, personal, locally-owned bookstore has a special place in my heart and can easily attract any avid reader such as myself.
I wish Otto's continued success in Williamsport.
Jackie McGinnis Schulze
Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
