[Publib] Book buying policy

[lynne ingersoll]

I have received these fake requests several times in the past.  I check our
system database to see if the "patron" belongs to any library in our system.
If not, I reply politely that as he/she is not a patron I cannot honor the
request.   I usually also say something to the effect that it isn't a very
effective means of publicity.  I think it is usually the author or a
publicity person from a (small) publishing company.

 

Lynne S. Ingersoll

Lynne S. Ingersoll

Reference Services Manager

Blue Island Public Library

2433 York St.

Blue Island, IL 60406

(708) 388-1078 x20

(708) 388-9301 Fax

 

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Ann Perrigo
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 9:07 PM
To: John
Cc: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Book buying policy

 

Well, John, I can't be quite as erudite--or funny--as you, but here's a
connected phenomenon.  Has anyone else had folks emailing your website
suggesting titles to purchase?  Who are not patrons?  And the books (title
or author) cannot be found in Books in Print?  Had another one tonight.  I'm
a little leery--what, is this the author in disguise?  The author's wife?
Sister?

Do you ignore these requests as I typically do? 

Ann

On 11/28/06, John <jrichmond at alphapark.org> wrote:

Generally, we will order about 99% of what people request.  Maybe that
percentage is too high, but maybe not.  If something is *very* pricey ($50
or $60 and above), the Grand Exalted Director, in consultation with the
Grand Exalted Not-the-Director-but-People-Who-Sport-the-Title-of-Librarian,
will make a wise decision.  Or if something is so truly academic that only
one person might check it out, we go the ILL route.  We even order
Harlequin-type paperback romances for people, though we've had to limit one
patron to no more than three to five titles per month; if not, we would own
ALL the pb romances with Texas cowboys taking care of babies, et al., and
then some.  We make some judgement calls on TV series on DVD and magazine
subscriptions--I know: I am straying from the topic of books--but we really
do try to accommodate patrons' wishes if we've got the money. 

Now that OJ is out of the picture (thank you, O non-gender-specific divine
being who is a power greater than ourselves, as we understand you,
etc.!)...we received a request for Courtney Love's (whoever she is; I watch
PBS and "60 Minutes," so I'm ignorant, and don't really want to know who she
is) alleged memoirs, with Mizz Luuuuvvv rather provocatively, yet faux
chastely, displayed on the front cover--and this, from a woman who usually
is researching soil sampling in ancient Mesopotamia or how to grow yams
suspended in mid-air from a clothesline--the yams, not the patron--and other
esoteric topics, the likes of which I just made up (but they're not *very*
made up).  One never knows...and so we have ordered Courtney.  I wonder if
anyone will comment. 

John D. Richmond, Director
Alpha Park Public Library District
3527 So. Airport Road
Bartonville, IL 61607-1799
Ph: (309) 697-3822, x. 12
Fax: (309) 697-9681
E-mail: jrichmond at alphapark.org




-- 
Ann Perrigo, Director
Allegan (MI) Public Library
annatapl at gmail.com 

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