Read, chill out or take a nap
May 13, 2009 Wednesday, The Straits Times, Singapore

Loh Keng Fatt thinks bookshops in Singapore should charge an entrance fee.

BOOKSHOPS should really charge people an entrance fee.I am convinced that this radical proposal will instantly reduce the number of people who now drop into book stores and treat the place like their own playground or personal library.

Take the case of my most-recent visit to Border’s Parkway Parade outlet when the antics of a considerable number of customers - both old and young - were on full, ugly display.

It was very hard for me to stay calm - in a supposed oasis for book lovers - when:

1. Groups of young kids and teens were jampacking the aisles to do their homework, play handheld games or just plain yak.

2. Younger kids were playing hide and seek, and I had to dodge a couple who were chasing one another among among the shelves.

3. All seating space was taken up but some of the folks were not reading but were conducting mobile-phone conversatons and even sleeping.

4. The low tables were stacked with books and magazines, evidence that some folks did not have the decency to return them to the shelves - even after they had read them for free.

5. Obviously, people were getting away with such nonsense because there was no one to curb their excesses. I did not see Borders’ staff reminding folks to treat the books with care or hush those who were talking animatedly.

Which brings me back to the point of levying an admission fee - to get the right type of people to come.

I have always wondered why bookshops operate on a model that literally allows customers the full run of the place - and with little prospects of many of them actually buying something.Do you see people turning up, say, at an electronics store and fooling around with DVD players, cameras or high-def TVs?

Do you see folks at furniture stores sprawled on sofas or pulling out drawers with gusto to check out the cupboards?But bookshops play Santa, and everyone’s welcome to browse, read, socialise and hang loose.

I think they should charge, say, a $2 admission charge.This would help the bookshops to earn some income and deter some freeloaders from showing up.But the fee would be refundable if you buy anything.The $2 charge seems fair to me.

If you choose to go to a bookshop to read for free, chill out with your pals or take a nap in cool comfort, you must agree that a $2 charge must be one of the bargains of all time.