Bookstores read buyer's needs

Bookstores don't need to be thousands of square feet wide in order to sell good books -- in fact, they don't even need to sell new books to thrive, according to some local merchants.

The selection at a large bookstore can seem comprehensive, Ramsey said, but appearances can be deceiving.

"You think 'Wow, they have everything,' then you look in the specialty areas, and they only have the top 20 percent in those areas," Ramsey said, "no really interesting things."

But chain stores can be specialized as well, said Laura Bernhard, store manager of Barnes & Noble, 365 Benner Pike.

"We've been open for three months," Bernhard said, "We've now had enough time to see what the readers in State College want."

Additions in the religion, cooking, philosophy, nature, sports and other sections are forthcoming because of recent demand, Bernhard said.

"Science fiction is our bread and butter," Ramsey said, adding that general fiction and literature, history and philosophy are also popular.

Used books offer another bonus, Ramsey said -- "They're cheaper, unless you're looking for a first edition or a really rare book."

This less expensive option can be a plus for students who cannot afford expensive new titles.

But the prices are not as low at used bookstores as they should be, Andrew DeCandis (junior-meteorology) said.

"The prices still seem inflated," he said. "The books seem like they're not as cheap as they should be."

In addition to the prices, many people are attracted to used bookstores because of the atmosphere.

"The service is much better (in a small bookstore)," said Shelby Chunko, a State College resident and Seven Mountains customer. "You can often become friends with the people that work there and the people that shop there."

Used bookstores can provide books that would never be found in retail stores, offering gems that have not been read in years, said Frank Horner, owner of Horner's Bookstore, 119 South Fraser St.

"In a store like this, there are thousands of little treasures that you find that you would never see in a new bookstore," Horner said.

Science fiction and general fiction are both staples at Horner's, much to the owner's dismay.

"A lot of the standard authors that one was previously introduced to in high school are now unread," he said. "Some students don't even recognize their names.

"I try to push standard authors such as O. Henry and Melville, rather than more recent people," Horner added. "At Barnes and Noble, they have shelves and shelves of people that come and go."

Horner, who has been in business in State College for more than 10 years, said his customers are both residents and students.

"I get about half and half," he said, adding that he has noticed fewer and fewer students reading for pleasure.

Despite varying degrees of interest in reading, some people look for books that can not be found in either new or used bookstores.

That's where Karen and Steve Deutsch come in.

The couple runs KS Alden, and provides a free out-of-print book search. "We have a search base of about 2,000 dealers," said Steve, "that gives us around 2,000,000 books."

The business does stock a few books, according to Deutsch. "We have about 15,000 in stock," he said, "but that's really a drop in the bucket."

Requests pour in from different sources all over the world, including Japan, the Philippines and other places in the Far East, Deutsch said. Alden books will then take the request and apply it to their network of sources. "For instance, I could take your order now, search for it tonight, then get back to you by tomorrow."