From Jane and Betsy, a sampling,
>Muahahah I have more books than all of you! My collections
>spans 3+ floors of office building space! Yes, I have a
>library next door, and a library card! Wow! isn't that
>amazing! It updates itself almost every month too! And it
>comes with a really neat automatic catologueing ability!
>Beat that!
>> Yep, that's me all right. I buy everything in paperback for
>> two reasons: price, and the fact that they fit in my coat
>> sleeve!
It seems from the number of "I buy" and "I borrow" responses that most SF
fans buy the books they read. As a librarian this makes me a little sad.
I've been working on our SF collection for three years, filling it with
highly praised books and personal favorites, and I haven't seen circulation
increase one whit. I do buy hardcover and pbs, so that's not the answer.
I suspected that fans just want to *own* these books, to pet them in the
privacy of their own homes, and not live in fear that their favorite book
will one day be disastrously weeded. Now I think I was right. I know this
won't help *my* collection, but why don't every one of you go to your local
library once a month and check out half a dozen SF books, just to thrill
(or disconcert) the librarian? Then you can buy the ones that are really
worth owning, hmmm?
Best,
Roberta
Roberta S. Johnson, Reader's Service Librarian
[log in to unmask]
Morton Grove Public Library http://www.webrary.org
"All opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect
official library policy."
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