[Publib] Re: Purchase of Self-Published Materials

[Andy Barnett]

Self-publishing has changed remarkably over the last five years as Print on
Demand becomes increasingly easy and common. I recently reprinted an out of
copyright item (one that had some family significance). A decade ago, this
would have involved a local printer or some small press, a short run,
almost no visibility and crates of books for me to dispose of. Now I used
CreateSpace (and Lulu), the item is listed on Amazon (free shipping!). I
have no inventory and thus no shipping or billing problems. The cost is
reasonable. I can get copies for under $10 each, though it is listed at $25
on Amazon. There is NO up front cost or minimum order (well, one copy , so
you can approve of the book). It is possible to read the first ten pages
on-line and search inside the book, a preview that just isn't possible even
with a review. Digital publishing lowers the threshold and Sturgeon's
Revelation  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon's_axiom> still applies,
but buying only reviewed items is like only reading newspapers and watching
only network news. Even bookstores do better than that.

Having an LJ or Booklist review is nice, but many items of regional or
local significance will never be reviewed at that level. For example, the
book I reprinted is a first person account of railroad building in Alaska
during the Gold Rush originally published in 1933. No chance that it will
get a review. It wouldn't have gotten a review even in 1933, when it was
published in a small run. Despite that, it is a good read and of interest
to railfans, Alaskans and those interested in development of frontiers,
though definitely a period piece. Probably not a good purchase for
libraries in Utah or Wisconsin.

Local history is every library's special collection. If you don't buy local
authors, some part of your community's history will vanish without a trace.
Yes, even mediocre local poetry and fiction is worth purchasing. Poorly
edited local history is often the only version available.