It’s been almost a year since the launch of BUKIT JALIL TSUTAYA BOOKS at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. The Malaysian branch of Japan’s largest bookstore chain is a hot spot for local book lovers browse through their favourite books right off the shelves during each visit.
Unfortunately, some customers have been damaging the books on purpose, leaving TSUTAYA BOOKS with no choice but to take necessary action. The bookstore recently announced that they will now be wrapping their books with clear film. Here’s their statement:
Over the weekend, TSUTAYA BOOKS posted an official statement on their social media to announce that they have wrapped up many of their books with clear film due to customers damaging the books. “As book lovers, it really saddens us to do this but we have had no choice. Through the months, our staff have put aside mountains of books that have been damaged, intentionally,” the Japanese bookstore explained.
Previously, customers were allowed to flip through the pages of the books’ content before purchasing them. Unfortunately, that has now changed after many books were found with pages ripped out, covers torn, and children’s pop-up books that no longer “pop-up”.
However, the wrapped-up books may not be a permanent thing. TSUTAYA BOOKS has kindly asked for customers’ cooperation to set things back the way they were by handling the books with care. “We would love nothing more than to go back to how it was when we first opened – shelves lined neatly with books as they are. Though we are not a library, our societal role as a bookstore is to encourage reading and promote literacy,” the company wrote.
Netizens were obviously saddened by the news but not completely surprised as this has happened to many other bookstores. Some applauded TSUTAYA for taking the necessary steps to protect and preserve the books while others suggested that the store should have at least 1 copy unwrapped for viewing.
Let’s hope that things will get better in the future but for now, those who wish to look through the sealed books’ content before purchasing may do so by asking any nearby staff members for their assistance. Remember to always be considerate and not ruin the fun for others by damaging things that don’t belong to you.
Source: Instagram
