There is often a misconception that the terms “libraries” and “bookstore” are interchangeable, as if they are inherently the same concept. In reality, they are very different. To concisely sum it up, libraries are places where you can rent books, and they offer a wider selection of older books, while bookstores tend to be places where you can buy books and focus mainly on newer options. Both of them have benefits and drawbacks, but it is important to highlight the differences between them so that people can get what they expect.
When it comes to looking for a book, it’s important to know what you want. Books have many different categories, and naturally so do the places they reside. There’s a handful of public libraries around Fort Worth, but the ones that are at the easiest convenience for FWCD students are Southwest Regional Library and Ridglea Library (and our very own Moncrief Library of course).
“It’s the library I grew up in,” Evie Blan ’27 said, “It’s very quiet… obviously. I like it more than bookstores. Because in bookstores people are walking around and browsing, and in libraries people are sitting down and working, so the atmosphere is calmer.”
Southwest Regional Library is open every day of the week with closing times running from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It’s filled with broad open spaces and colorful floor patterns. It’s generally very quiet, no matter the time of day. So it’s a good place to settle down and study for big tests or write important papers. It is a library, of course, so there are a lot of books. The downside of it being so big is that it can be hard to find specific books, even with a similar organization to that of the FWCD library. However, because of its wide space, it has room to hold many different options, so even if what exactly you were looking for isn’t there, it’s likely you’ll find something similar.
The Ridglea Library is a bit smaller than the Southwest Regional and is only open Monday-Saturday with similar times to those of Southwest Regional. It’s right next door to the Ridglea Country Club, which every FWCD student has been to if they still use it as the freshman Homecoming dinner spot. Because of its smaller size, the library itself has a more neighborhood atmosphere. The staff are extremely kind, which adds to the comfortable vibe. At times it can be louder, but it is still a good study area if needed. The selection of books is smaller than that of some bigger libraries, but they routinely rotate it, so generally you are given many options every month.
The amazing Moncrief Library does not necessarily need a description or advertisement because frankly, every FWCD student should be visiting at least once a day. But if you’ve been missing out, it’s a great place to be before school, after school, and during your study period. It gets a bit loud during the announcements period and after lunch, but any other time is most likely dead silent. They have a large variety of fiction, non-fiction, and fantasy as well as all past yearbooks. You can check out up to three books at a time, and it’s extremely easy to check out and turn in books. Also, they periodically host things like the Book Fair, which has an abundance of trinkets and journals available for purchase.
Now with all this aforementioned information on libraries, I bet everyone is wondering how to get a library card. Easy: just go up to the front desk at the library of your choice and ask. Most libraries will just sign you up at the front desk.
Obviously libraries aren’t the only option here. We have some very nice book stores here in Fort Worth. There are not many local bookstores, so the majority of people go to Barnes and Noble. There is nothing wrong with Barnes and Noble; however, it is important the people are aware they have other bookstore options. For example, Leaves Books Tea Shop.
I recently visited Leaves Book and Tea Shop, so I can give a more up-to-date description. There is an immediate warmth that overtakes you once the door closes. No matter the weather outside, the interior of Leaves is bright and covered in plants. There is one large shelf to the left of the entrance that has books in an intricately designed pattern, and on the right is a book promotion area where two women sit. Close to the bookshelf there is a row of tables, which is good for studying and conversing over tea. Since it is predominantly a tea and bakery shop, the bigger half of the store is covered with the register and food and drink options. But the atmosphere is homey and could be the perfect place to quietly study or try out their carefully curated book selection. One of the things that makes Leaves special is the fact that every book they put out has been read and recommended by staff. That being said, it has a smaller number of books than what might be found in a library or chain bookstore. But it offers a type of familiarity and community that maybe libraries don’t provide.
There is also Monkey and Dog Books. It’s focus is more towards young children, but it’s playful and fun atmosphere makes it easy to relax in. The bookstore itself holds a good selection for readers in lower and middle school. High schoolers can also go there for the easy going ambience and the quick paced books. And of course supporting local businesses is a must. Local businesses hold a community that bigger corporations lack.
“I like the feel of bookstores more. But when I’m looking for a specific book, I go to an online library,” McCartie McPadden ’27 said.
There is also always the option of buying and renting books online. Like many things in today’s society, bookstores and libraries have progressed onto the internet. Companies like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Lulu are examples of popular ebook options. I avidly use my Kindle, so I know a lot about those subscriptions; I am not as educated about the others. But from a Kindle viewpoint, online books are exactly the same as in-store books except for the added benefit of not having to leave your house. It’s also easier to find specific books online than it is to find them in a bustling library.
Whatever option you choose, an infinite amount of knowledge awaits you. Whether you choose a library for quiet, a bookstore for the atmosphere, or ebooks for the sake of not leaving your home, as long as you go in with the information you need, everything will go well.
