I agree that it's not just books, and I agree that there are ways for them to adapt rather than just die. One of the hottest bookstores in my city is an indie used book chain that sells new and used DVDs and new books too. Another is a high-end coffee shop that also happens to sell books.
I vehemently disagree with the idea that the publishing industry or government or whomever should somehow intervene to 'save' the bookstores. I love books (and spend more on them now that I have an ebook reader than I did before!) but as far as the retail supply chain goes, it's the business side and business changes. Bookstores are no different from any other type of store in that regard. The marketplace is full of surprises. If you had told me ten years ago that the hottest retail store in my city would be one that sells only cupcakes, I would have laughed at you, but such is life
If the market wants it, it will sell. If the market would rather buy it some other way, or not at all, they'll do it and you either find a way to get your cut, or you get out of that business.