As a consultant working with the World Bank, I find this bookshop to be a valuable and treasured resource. Is there not a requirement to have an Infoshop with a physical presence to disseminate public documents of the World Bank, as part of the bank's policy on disclosure. Downsize the space, or move it to another publicly accessible nearby location if needed, but do not close it altogether.
A
Abdo Yazbeck
10 years ago
A space for thoughtful exchange of difficult and important ideas should not be replaced by a twitter-oriented World Bank. Development deserves better.
J
Jane Clement
10 years ago
We are starving for the literary culture we once enjoyed in Washington, DC - when there used to be a good, old-fashioned bookstore on every corner - before the tsunami of the information/electronic age hit and wiped them all away. The value of our bookstore is much greater than the sum of the books on its shelves. May we not forget...."A dog starved at his master's gate, predicts the ruin of the state." - William Blake's Auguries of Innocence
S
Santiago Pombo
10 years ago
It is very important to keep the Infoshop open !
W
Wolfram Anders
10 years ago
The InfoStore is a beloved institution that serves both WBG staff and the community. Let's be true to our commitment to be a good neighbor! I'm there regularly and keep being amazed by the rich variety of book choices - business, language, culture. There is no place in town (and indeed I'd be hard pressed to name any other place) where you find this wide range of rich, stimulating book selections!
D
Deepthi
10 years ago
The public needs a space like this. Please don't shut it down!
E
Elizabeth Small
10 years ago
I couldnl't believe this news either! Stunned is the one word reaction. I always thought of the Infoshop as a physical representation of the "Knowledge Bank". Have purchased many books, music cds, tchotchkes, etc. both for personal use and as gifts for numerous occasions. The selection has always been great! This one is definitely a bad decision that deserves a second look..
L
Luigi Orlandi
10 years ago
Bookstore should actually be "enlarged" to show the outside world all the good that the WB does for the poor and developing world.
R
Rumit Pancholi
10 years ago
The InfoShop is an immensely valuable asset of the World Bank Group and a resource for authors to hold launches and events; offers visiting delegates (among others) to get a personal look, feel, and character of the Bank; allows for the general public to enjoy an inviting space to see the vast array of knowledge learned and shared; and most important, is not limited to those with a Bank ID, showing a level of transparency that is truly appreciated. With its prominent visibility across the street from the headquarters, this is a go-to spot for Bank and non-Bank visitors interested in learning more about the important mission, accomplished work, and proven results of the World Bank Group. Closure would mean a deep loss to the community.
M
Mimosa Velo
10 years ago
I love the bookstore. I go there every week or so. I have bought so many books there that I did not know existed and you cannot find I where else. My family loves the bookstore too. I have also bought a ton of books in this store for my son , my father, my brothers and cousins. We all are great readers and read a lot. One of the most joyous activities I have done with my son since when he was little was that,whenever I had to bring him with me to work, we would spend some time in the shop looking at the books and other good stuff and buy a lot of them. Nowadays that my son is an idiot we have more reason to go there if not every 2 weeks, at least once a month. He always leaves the store with a pile a books he buys to read. Please do not close the bookstore. It is an iconic part of the World Bank that we are so proud of. Thank you!
M
Michael Woolcock
10 years ago
The best development bookstore in the world! And a Knowledge Bank should be leading, not closing, efforts to disseminate knowledge via books.
A
Antonio Paniagua Martin
10 years ago
The InfoShop is a landmark
L
Lois Quinn
10 years ago
The WB bookstore is my 'go to' book store for books that will help me understand the history and culture of the countries I assist.
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Who does not love a printed book. I get more information from reading through a book than reading stuff online as reading online for long hurt my eyes. I want the management to reconsider as Infoshop is a good resource.
J
Jakob Rusinek
10 years ago
To me this is not just about love, but more importantly about a critical knowledge depository that every Bank staff member and consultant needs to use on their projects.
E
Eva Berriman
10 years ago
The value of openly interacting with non-bank staff, authors, showing how we are truly a 'Knowledge-bank' is not easily replaced by dollar value gains in creating more office spaces.
R
Ranjith Menon
10 years ago
Instead of completely closing the Infoshop, can we merge it to the Library?
N
Nadeem Mohammad
10 years ago
This is Bank's icon! Our face to people and millions of tourists that stop by just to learn what are we all about!
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
The accountants see everything through the prism of cost. And even when there is cost recovery, they now want opportunity cost. Its the same argument as moving to West Virginia would lower our rent. We love the bookstore as do all our visitors. Its a DC Landmark. Keep it open.
B
Brandon Carter
10 years ago
I think it is important to keep the InfoShop open to provide an important space for the public to interact with the Bank. If the InfoShop is closed, then it would be hoped that it would be replaced by some other type visitor center. I think it is vitally important to have such a resource to demonstrate that the World Bank is transparent and open to the public that it serves.
As a consultant working with the World Bank, I find this bookshop to be a valuable and treasured resource. Is there not a requirement to have an Infoshop with a physical presence to disseminate public documents of the World Bank, as part of the bank's policy on disclosure. Downsize the space, or move it to another publicly accessible nearby location if needed, but do not close it altogether.
A space for thoughtful exchange of difficult and important ideas should not be replaced by a twitter-oriented World Bank. Development deserves better.
We are starving for the literary culture we once enjoyed in Washington, DC - when there used to be a good, old-fashioned bookstore on every corner - before the tsunami of the information/electronic age hit and wiped them all away. The value of our bookstore is much greater than the sum of the books on its shelves. May we not forget...."A dog starved at his master's gate, predicts the ruin of the state." - William Blake's Auguries of Innocence
It is very important to keep the Infoshop open !
The InfoStore is a beloved institution that serves both WBG staff and the community. Let's be true to our commitment to be a good neighbor! I'm there regularly and keep being amazed by the rich variety of book choices - business, language, culture. There is no place in town (and indeed I'd be hard pressed to name any other place) where you find this wide range of rich, stimulating book selections!
The public needs a space like this. Please don't shut it down!
I couldnl't believe this news either! Stunned is the one word reaction. I always thought of the Infoshop as a physical representation of the "Knowledge Bank". Have purchased many books, music cds, tchotchkes, etc. both for personal use and as gifts for numerous occasions. The selection has always been great! This one is definitely a bad decision that deserves a second look..
Bookstore should actually be "enlarged" to show the outside world all the good that the WB does for the poor and developing world.
The InfoShop is an immensely valuable asset of the World Bank Group and a resource for authors to hold launches and events; offers visiting delegates (among others) to get a personal look, feel, and character of the Bank; allows for the general public to enjoy an inviting space to see the vast array of knowledge learned and shared; and most important, is not limited to those with a Bank ID, showing a level of transparency that is truly appreciated. With its prominent visibility across the street from the headquarters, this is a go-to spot for Bank and non-Bank visitors interested in learning more about the important mission, accomplished work, and proven results of the World Bank Group. Closure would mean a deep loss to the community.
I love the bookstore. I go there every week or so. I have bought so many books there that I did not know existed and you cannot find I where else. My family loves the bookstore too. I have also bought a ton of books in this store for my son , my father, my brothers and cousins. We all are great readers and read a lot. One of the most joyous activities I have done with my son since when he was little was that,whenever I had to bring him with me to work, we would spend some time in the shop looking at the books and other good stuff and buy a lot of them. Nowadays that my son is an idiot we have more reason to go there if not every 2 weeks, at least once a month. He always leaves the store with a pile a books he buys to read. Please do not close the bookstore. It is an iconic part of the World Bank that we are so proud of. Thank you!
The best development bookstore in the world! And a Knowledge Bank should be leading, not closing, efforts to disseminate knowledge via books.
The InfoShop is a landmark
The WB bookstore is my 'go to' book store for books that will help me understand the history and culture of the countries I assist.
Who does not love a printed book. I get more information from reading through a book than reading stuff online as reading online for long hurt my eyes. I want the management to reconsider as Infoshop is a good resource.
To me this is not just about love, but more importantly about a critical knowledge depository that every Bank staff member and consultant needs to use on their projects.
The value of openly interacting with non-bank staff, authors, showing how we are truly a 'Knowledge-bank' is not easily replaced by dollar value gains in creating more office spaces.
Instead of completely closing the Infoshop, can we merge it to the Library?
This is Bank's icon! Our face to people and millions of tourists that stop by just to learn what are we all about!
The accountants see everything through the prism of cost. And even when there is cost recovery, they now want opportunity cost. Its the same argument as moving to West Virginia would lower our rent. We love the bookstore as do all our visitors. Its a DC Landmark. Keep it open.
I think it is important to keep the InfoShop open to provide an important space for the public to interact with the Bank. If the InfoShop is closed, then it would be hoped that it would be replaced by some other type visitor center. I think it is vitally important to have such a resource to demonstrate that the World Bank is transparent and open to the public that it serves.