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Re: [ARSCLIST] Interesting WSJ Article on when libraries should discard their holdings.
The day I curl up with a good computer....shoot me.
dl
Jack Palmer wrote:
Remarkable. I'm just the opposite. Anytime I want to absorb any book,
I read it. I listen to audio books when I am driving long distances,
but seldom at home. I prefer the real book. I have always preferred
the written word. One reason I seldom use the phone for business but do
use e-mail. Jack
----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Fine" <tflists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 6:21 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Interesting WSJ Article on when libraries should
discard their holdings.
I think in the age of the Internet and online reservation/hold
systems, local libraries probably can get rid of a lot of overlap over
time. I know our local branch here in Bedford Hills NY is massively
growing its DVD and audiobooks holdings, somewhat growing its music
CD's and slowly discarding more and more print books. The deep stacks
just don't circulate and when there are several other
rarely-circulated copies in the county library system, they need to
clear out space. I understand the reasoning very clearly, but I hope
the efforts are all coordinated so one or two copies of
seldom-circulated works remain available. At least the "classics." As
for sound recordings, there is a specific arts/music library in the
system, which still circulates vinyl (although the records are usually
not in good condition).
Agree that there's a difference between a research/archive library and
a local public library. A PUBLIC library is funded by and answerable
to the public. In other words, if the people want DVD's and
audiobooks, it's the library's job to provide them. A librarian who
looks askance at a fellow wanting to borrow "Terminator 2" DVD
instead of the dusty copy of "For Whom The Bell Tolls" book should not
be working at a public library.
For what it's worth, new and bestseller books seem to circulate hard
and fast, but the reading crowd these days doesn't seem interested in
the deep stacks. In my case, I am happy enough with this trend because
my middle aged eyes don't like paperbacks so I've been slowly
replacing my favorite books with usually first edition and excellent
condition hard covers for a couple dollars each at various library
sales. But, for the record, I don't pretend to be a bibliophile and
actually prefer audiobooks for most new stuff. I can process aural
info faster than I can read and I remember things told to me or heard
via audiobook or radio more clearly than things read.
-- Tom Fine