What you said makes a lot of sense. I do not see how an indie bookstore that is new books only can survive today. Obviously they can only stock a limited number of titles, so the oddball book you're looking for probably isn't in stock. But, it's always available for purchase online.
I used to enjoy getting a B&N gift certificate, then going to the store to search for books I didn't know I needed. These days, I rarely find them there, and use their website to search for books.
Used bookstores, on the other hand, seem to thrive in some places, generally near a university. I love used bookstores, and can always find a book I didn't know I needed in any decent one.
A more alarming trend, to me, is the one that has public libraries reducing the number of books available in the stacks. If you visit the main branch in Minneapolis, for example...a brand new library, you'll feel like you're in Barnes & Noble. Don't look for anything published over a few years ago, unless it's a classic. If you know what you want, you can order just about anything, but the pleasure of browsing stacks for the old book you really must read, but had never heard of, are gone.
University libraries seem to be going down the same road. I'm saddened by this.
Oh, I don't think so. I'm finishing up my PhD and frequently cruise the stacks. There are tons of books that "I didn't know I needed" (love that!) that look like they haven't been taken out in years, but the library still keeps them.
I'm at a major research univ w/a huge library system (separate engin, health, art, etc. libraries). Perhaps some of what you're seeing is at smaller schools without numerous doctoral programs - those are the folks who really read the weird and or classic stuff. Your basic undergrad doesn't care.
I see that also. I have a lot of fond memories of pulling all sorts of weird stuff of the shelves of the library growing up. Stuff from AI theory, to how to make stink bombs, to old forgotten history books, etc. Now, when I live in a much larger metro area, most of the libraries are half empty. Yet the cities keep building more, but just take books from the old.