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Can I check out a book please?

6/17/2011

3 Comments

 
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That's what I expect to see after committing search after search on the Memphis Public Library's website. Why? Because the vast majority of the time I'm searching in vain. I just don't get it. Well, I do get that funding is a major issue. However, I don't get what drives the selection that is there. Is it the same as what mysteriously drives the book selling market? I say "mysterious" because it's beyond me why nothing I and many others prefer to read is hardly ever available in a bookstore in this city. 

The library has a request form that I've employed at least two dozen times to have only one request pending fulfillment. Even that one took months for a response. I've inquired a few times with various librarians at the largest branch about how books are chosen for the inventory and how quickly are new releases added. That was pretty much a bust. I got some vague, dismissive response. Honestly, I don't think she knew the answer. I know some might think it harsh I'm bitchin' about public libraries but it's because they are important to creating a vibrant image for a city and because I'm a bookhead...HELLO! 

I commented earlier on a post by another book blogger that I'm given almost no choice but to purchase most of the books I read as I cannot get them from a library here. I've been asked about an interlibrary loan system. Huh? I've always only thought such a thing existed in academic libraries. This prompted me to prowl around some other cities' library systems and I was rudely awakened. 

So, I called the branch closest to my home which happens to be the largest and spoke to a really kind woman who responded as best she could to my questions. Basically, as I mentioned before, it comes down to money. I did let her know that I wasn't just some griper who doesn't contribute to the pot. I've patronized every book sale for the last two or three years and the used bookstore which helps fund the library. As a matter of fact, I purchased four books from Second Editions in the last week. She did tell me that we do have an ILL system. I asked if it's on the website anywhere and she was certain that it's not. So am I. And she seemed to get my frustration with that. However, that hasn't stopped it from amassing a high volume of requests. Now I know.

I feel like my patronage at the library's book sales is for naught. It seems to be funding the attainment of everything I don't enjoy reading. Should I just spend my money only on what I want to read and not care if the library flounders? And I'm not suggesting that my support will bring the library's demise but I know that every little bit helps.

Is the problem merely the allocation of tax dollars to or public libraries shamefully low?

How are things at your local library? Does it sufficiently feed your reading habits?

3 Comments
Doret link
6/17/2011 11:54:53 am

I live in Atlanta. I have a library card to two different Counties.

I love my libraries. It can take a while for new releases I want to get in but they do come in.

A few books I've recently checkout from the library PYM, Please Look After Mom and When the Thrill is Gone.

Sometimes I still get a bit frustrasted by whats not coming in but I know they can't get everything and what they do get is pretty good.

I know it could be worse, so I am thankful.

I love ILL and use it all the time online.

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Deborah link
6/18/2011 10:02:05 am

Like Doret, I live in Atlanta and I have a card in two counties. Generally I can find what I am looking for in Fulton County (my county of residence) and give them high marks. ILL is pretty good but you don't get much time with the books. We also have a wonderful research center -- the African American Research Center focused on African american history and culture. You can't check anything out but I have been known to go in there and sit and read. Even with that I still buy a lot of books. : ).

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Eva link
6/18/2011 05:59:34 pm

As you know, I'm blessed with quite a public library! It doesn't have everything I want, but I'd say it has 85% of it, and I can always suggest a purchase and/or ILL to fill in the holes. It's pretty good about turn around on newly published books too. And the librarians at my branch are very friendly! :)

I'm sorry that your library's book selection is so bare, but I hope that you can use ILL in the future now that you know it's there.

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