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Fairgrass

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 7:42 am


I've been fortunate enough to always live near a fairly big library. However, every now and then, I find that they just don't have what I want.

For instance, I just wanted to borrow a book that would teach me the basics of playing the piano. My library doesn't have one. Two books on how to play the dulcimer, but none on piano at any library branch.

And more frustrating (but more understandable) than that - now my library is carrying several graphic novel titles in the Young Adult section, including my beloved "Runaways," but they don't carry the adult-oriented comic "Y: The Last Man." Darn you, library! I can't afford to buy all the trade paperbacks myself. Why won't you just carry this uber popular, albeit R-rated, title?

So, do you ever run into moments like these?
Are there books that your library doesn't or won't carry?
PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:22 am


Several of my libraries have just been closed down. crying Darn town and their refusal to fund them... So, right now the problem is more finding a library. B&N will have to do for now.

DevonyEvony

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Jiggery Pokery

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PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:42 am


I rarely go to the library. Normally I just read a little bit of a book and if I like it I buy it. I used to go to libraries, but now I can't stand reading books tons of other people have read and bent and folded and such. I will go to used book stores though, cause normally just one person has read the book and it isn't in horrible shape.
PostPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:19 pm


I don't normally go to a library just bookstores for me. If I go to a library it's the one at school. Which is closed for the Summer. *Sobs* crying


Fibonacci To Infinity

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OliviaFalconer
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:25 am




Y'know, I've tried to buy piano books for the library where I work: there just aren't that many to find.

And I'm also the Graphic Novel buyer for children's books. I don't know what the adult librarians' policy is for R-rated graphic novels, but if "Y" has nudity, things could get sticky. I know this because a lot of our patrons are rather conservative. One lady objected to a picture book because a single spread had few thumbnail-sized (literally) pictures of devils. Erg.

Another issue for libraries is budget. We have to maximize our spending dollars, so if there isn't a big demand, we might not buy it. If you want your library to carry something, go up and ask for it. If they can't get it, maybe the librarian can interloan it from another library in the local consortium.

Thank you for letting me say my piece.

PostPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:39 pm


Yes, Y has nudity, lesbian sex scenes, multiple uses of the F word, murder, attempted rape, the violent deaths of all male on the planet, et cetera. But still!

No, seriously, I see what you're saying, Olivia. I live in a small town, and while my library is quite nice (since my little town is also the county seat), it still feels the strain of a limited population and budget. I do have a question for you, though. Who censors books in the library where you work? Does that fall into the librarians' discretion, or is there an existing set of standards to which you have to adhere?


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:52 pm


DevonyEvony
Several of my libraries have just been closed down. crying Darn town and their refusal to fund them... So, right now the problem is more finding a library. B&N will have to do for now.


That's so sad. I wish people would be as greedy with education as they are with money.
PostPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 7:52 pm


My library has a decent selection of most stuff. It even has movies, CDs, audio books, and even manga!There are magazines too. And the adult section is something of a marvel. Compared to my old library, this one is HEAVEN!

Sorinchako


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PostPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:57 pm


If it wasn't for inter-library loan I'd probably rarely set foot inside my local library. And if libraries are going to stock smutty romance novels with pornographic covers, I want some adult manga for compensation.

Still if I can get ahold of a picture book called The Guide to Lesbian Sex, then why can't I have my yaoi manga, too?
PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:44 am


My problem's always been either it's at another location several miles away and it will take two weeks to arrive, or there's 99 people who've already placed it on hold.

celesi


OliviaFalconer
Crew

Masterful Bibliophile

PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:50 am


Fairgrass
Yes, Y has nudity, lesbian sex scenes, multiple uses of the F word, murder, attempted rape, the violent deaths of all male on the planet, et cetera. But still!

No, seriously, I see what you're saying, Olivia. I live in a small town, and while my library is quite nice (since my little town is also the county seat), it still feels the strain of a limited population and budget. I do have a question for you, though. Who censors books in the library where you work? Does that fall into the librarians' discretion, or is there an existing set of standards to which you have to adhere?


Well, I'm not at work today, so I can't ask the teen and adult librarians what guidelines they use. For juvenile (aka 6th grade and younger) graphic novels, I avoid anything with graphic (spurting blood) violence, nudity, and strong language. When I first started trying to stock graphic novels as a section, all we had were Garfield, FoxTrot, and Pokemon. I've added the graphic novels of the Star Wars movies (eps. 1, 4, 5, 6), Teen Titans Go! (note: not mainstream DC Teen Titans--one issue of that has someone's kneecaps being blow off on-screen), the Marvel Adventures line of Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, and Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys graphic novels. I'm still reading through a lot of manga looking for the few titles that don't do a lot of fanboy service with panty shots and bouncing breasts. I know that adult department stocks Peach Girl, and teen has Dragonball Z (which many years ago used to be in my department until a parent said something). I guess a lot of it is my discretion, but we do have a set of guidelines which I can't get to right now. I'll try to find them tomorrow.
PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:14 pm


Jiggery Pokery
I rarely go to the library. Normally I just read a little bit of a book and if I like it I buy it. I used to go to libraries, but now I can't stand reading books tons of other people have read and bent and folded and such. I will go to used book stores though, cause normally just one person has read the book and it isn't in horrible shape.

I'm the same way >.<

Anthony Hopkins


SOND3RLING

PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:52 pm


I only have one public library in my entire town. It's sickening and bare. It irks me.

Either way, I rarely go to the library with any specific book in mind. On the rare occasion I do, though, it annoys me to no end.
PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:48 am


Hey, Fairgrass, I managed to ask our teen librarian what standards she uses. She said that basically she gets whatever's popular (i.e., what teens have been asking her for). She does try to buy books that are rated for teens (I know some manga come rated like video games), but it's mostly her discretion. I still have to find the adult librarian who buys graphic novels. (Scheduling at work is crazy some days.)

OliviaFalconer
Crew

Masterful Bibliophile


MyOwnBestCritic

Dapper Dabbler

PostPosted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:24 pm


I like to reserve things online before I go get them. Inter-library loan is excellent online as well.

*shakes fist* Darn you, library!
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