Date:         Thu, 4 Jan 2007 00:35:41 -0500
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         David Lennick <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Interesting WSJ Article on when libraries should discard
              their holdings.
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
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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" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> 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