Michael McGrorty directed our attention to this LA Times op-ed piece from a fellow who claims that his ability to read has been hampered by the high cost of books.
The other day I was in Barnes & Noble and an ugly fact came home to me. I can’t afford to buy books anymore. I used to pick up a book every week or two and was never without a paperback book stuck in my back pocket.
Nowhere in the commentary is there a mention of the “L” word.
Here’s a joke for you:
How many librarians does it take to flood the LA Times with letters expressing disgruntlement, outrage, and disbelief?
Stay tuned for the punch line. Go get ’em tigers!
yes, but…
I work in a good library, and my city library is pretty good too. But sometimes if I want to read a book I pretty much have to buy it. Here are two examples
So yes, if I want to stay current with new releases, the cost of books is a barrier.
Re:yes, but…
After I posted the story, I thought of this angle as it’s a fact of life at the library where I work. I’ve been wanting to read the Da Vinci code, but have been waiting for over a year since I try not to check out or hold books that patrons are waiting to read. I think that just in the past month it’s come off the “hold” shelf. So, clearly libraries need to address this issue. But, you’ll get those who wholeheartedly believe that it is not a library’s job to be attentive to popular tastes. Somehow, some way, libraries hopefully in concert with publishers need to find a way to address this problem/need.
What bugged me about the piece was that libraries weren’t even mentioned, as if buying books is the only way to get them. Lots of food for thought in that piece. I’m looking forward to responses, both here and in the LA Times.
Re:yes, but…
We’re part of consoritium with a pretty active ILL service. Books like the Da Vinci code can have enormous hold lists but since there are around 30 libraries sharing dozens and dozens of copies the turnover is pretty good.
My view is we’re right were we want to be. We cater to popular taste only and the fact is we will never have the resources to supply the demand and simply lose out to private enterprise. We don’t try at all and we have a supply without any demand.
Shop smart
No way will I buy a new hardback, and new paperbacks are like 7 dollars minimum for the newest Star Trek story! Books on more scholarly topics are even pricier. I regularly shop at half.com nowadays or hope the library has what I want. Hamilton Book is also good for popular titles that have come and gone in typical boom/bust cycle. This is a google search for a lot of “related” sites to hamiltonbook. Happy hunting.
Re:yes, but…
Forget the Da Vinci code. A book 10 times better that covers the same ground (and published a dozen or so years earlier) is Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum. Get the real deal, not a shoddy imitation. And, you will probably not have to wait to get a copy.
Re:yes, but…
I’m willing to wait for a book. I use our public library and granted we are a rural area but I still didn’t have to wait an overly long time for DaVinci Code.
When it comes down to it, I just can’t afford to spend anywhere from $10-$15 for a paperback book. Pretty much the only books I buy these days are non fiction ones and even that is very sparingly. I only buy fiction if I can get it at the used bookstore for 1/2 price or it’s something I really want and know I’ll read again.
It’s funny, I spent way more on books when I was a teenager and had less income than I do now with a full time job.
I just checked my acct and I currently have 16 items on request; a couple are DVDs but the rest are books and I think the longest wait I’ve had is since early fall when I requested Clinton’s “My Life”. I do hope it’s interesting read since I’m sure I’ll only have 3 weeks to get through it.
I understand that not everyone is willing to wait…but I am and I use my public library!
s/
One Solution to Long Hold Lists
Our library district is like many of yours, popular items have long waiting lists. We have set aside special copies of books called Browsing Best Sellers and special copies of videos and DVDs called New Arrivals.
These special copies can be checked out for one checkout period. They cannot be renewed and they do not fill holds. With these copies, people who browse the library’s collection still have a chance of finding a popular item on the shelf. They are extremely popular and help with this problem.