Independent bookstores are hoping to compete online by joining up with Booksense. The hope is that since even loyal independent customers will buy online when they can’t get to the bookstore, providing an online presence will eliminate that loss. According to the Wired article, the site will open for business by this fall. In considering how independents can stay in business, the only idea I’ve had is for them to partially convert to carrying used books. Quite a few CD stores are using that formula to help compete with biggies like Tower. But I have no idea of the financials behind this thought of mine; it may be a lame shot in the dark. I do know, however, that used bookstores do bring in regular customers, and often the same types of customers that frequent the independents anyway. Used book browsers will glance at the new books too, and may even find it nice that both are there in the same place. It’s how Powell’s does it: “Buy the book, read the book, enjoy the book, sell the book… Keep books in circulation. Keep ideas alive.”