tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post7107931696004452973..comments2024-03-10T16:42:34.106-04:00Comments on Collecting Children's Books: Weeding is FundamentalPeter D. Sierutahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09301507180150710089noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-81518214225654484612008-06-11T11:28:00.000-04:002008-06-11T11:28:00.000-04:00I actually had that happen once - I sent away for ...I actually had that happen once - I sent away for a book through interlibrary loan and when I went to my local library to pick it up, there was a note on it that they didn't want it back and the patron requesting it could have it. It was, of course, an older children's book. The author and illustrator was Paul Brown, which means that the loaner library is now poorer in resources for any horse-crazy child. You can't replace Paul Brown with a sackful of Thoroughbreds or Saddle Club, it's like weeding Austen in favor of Jennifer Weiner.<BR/><BR/>The space argument doesn't cut it. Libraries are finding plenty of space to add cafes, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, Internet access computers, etc. These are all great services, but when they're being made at the expense of books, it sends a signal that libraries are getting away from their original mission in an effort to draw in new patrons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7046320545497573335.post-37445257946369924952008-06-02T15:02:00.000-04:002008-06-02T15:02:00.000-04:00I weed. Sometimes I'm ruthless, sometimes not. B...I weed. Sometimes I'm ruthless, sometimes not. But here's the thing in a public library: there ARE space issues. We can't afford a bigger building. This means getting rid of things that aren't circulating. Some titles I would never ever get rid of, but we're not a museum. We're a living, changing collection. Those outdated but historically significant volumes belong on a shelf somewhere, but not in my little public library.Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16563414055936087654noreply@blogger.com