I don't get it -- a follow-up

In the comments section of my post "I don't get it" (about my frustration with attempting to donate books to the local library), Johnnie Frisbie writes:

I select fiction for a mid-size public library. While some of our donations go to the library book sale a fair number also make it onto our shelves. If the books you were donating were 18 months old what you must realize is that the library ordered enough of those books to meet patron demands. Usually, unless a book is The DaVinci Code by the time 18 months has passed the initial demand for the book has passed.

What happens at some of our branches is staff takes those pristine donations and checks their shelves to see if the copy they currently have needs to be replaced. Staff that takes the time to do this can make a significant contribution to keeping their collection looking good. It is not that libraries do not appreciate donations, we do, it is just that we cannot rely on them to meet out patron needs.

I found that comment interesting, and some of it makes sense to me. But I think that in most cases the library probably didn't order copies of the books I wanted to give them, or certainly not all of them.

Of course, if they've got the books already, then it's a moot point. The reason I wanted to donate them in the first place is because I was under the impression that libraries can't afford to buy very many books. If they've got everything they need, then they certainly don't need me. (And now that I think about it, the libraries in Fairfax County must have pretty damn good funding, so maybe they really do have all the books they need.)

I'm curious about something else Johnnie wrote...He seems to imply that libraries operate on the assumption that only new releases are of interest to patrons. Is that really true? I know new books are of the most immediate interest, but don't they shelve older books? Even books from last year? Obviously they can't keep everything, but what about, for example, last year's Edgar winners or Book 1 or 2 of an ongoing series?

I think the part that disappointed me about the whole thing was that the library wasn't even interested in considering the books. I explicitly told them I realized that the books might or might not meet their needs -- in which case I knew they would be sold off at the charity sale. And that's fine.

But I wanted for the books to at least be considered for circulation, since they represent a valuable resource. Unfortunately, they weren't interested in that. So that indicates to me that, contrary to what Johnnie wrote, they don't appreciate donations at all, other than for sale. (Which is the same thing as just asking for money.)

I used to give books to a couple of nursing homes, because at least then I knew they were going to where people would read them. But the person I dealt with doesn't handle that anymore, and I haven't had much luck connecting with anyone else.

If I'm just going to donate the books for sale, this particular library is too picky about their rules. One of the other libraries in the area that I talked to was more receptive when it comes to their book sale, but it's not very convenient for me to go over there.

So I suppose I'll just keep dumping them at the Salvation Army. It's a shame that there's not a better outlet for good quality, new books. I can't even give the damn things away! As both a reader and a writer, that makes me a little sad.

Comments

[David Montgomery]

By the way, my editor at the Phillie Inquirer (Frank Wilson) has a unique way of dealing with the surplus book situation: he donates them to the prison. I don't know if he actually takes them there himself or not. Wouldn't that be wild?

As a final note, and to stave off any potential misunderstanding, let me make it explicit that I don't want to imply in any way that I'm down on libraries.

If it weren't for libraries, I never would have developed the love for reading, nor the breadth of knowledge of books, that I have today.

I might find the operation of some libraries a little puzzling, but I have great respect for what they do.

[Jane Davis]

David-
What about local high school libraries? They might need them.

[David Montgomery]

You know, I thought about that... But do they even carry crime fiction? I don't think my high school did.

[Elaine Flinn]

I can't help but laugh thinking convicts are reading mysteries!! Well at least they can identify.

[Peter]

David: An organization in Philadelphia delivers books to prisoners. I think it's called Books Through Bars. Frank may go through that group.

Elaine: Here is evidence that not just crime stories but caper novels are popular in prisons. It's an introduction to Richard Stark's (Donald Westlake) novel The Seventh: http://www.violentworldofparker.com./articles/seventhintro.htm Find your way to the sixth and seventh paragraphs.
========================

Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder is More Fun Away From Home"

[Betsy]

I am a high school librarian and yes we do have crime fiction, at least in my library! It is a very popular genre, so I would suggest that you do contact your local high schools. While some titles may be inappropriate, most would be widely read by many students. Our budgets are always getting cut-the federal money we used to get was cut in half this year-so I would think donations of new books would be a welcome addition.

[Corky]

Find an organization that sends books to troops overseas. There are several. Books are always appreciated, and you can be sure they will be read.

[Michael Davey]

I have attempted to donate books to my local library. They were not interested in seeing them, like you, unless they where 'new'. I had many non-fiction books that the library did not have and I believe would have been a real plus for the library. In the end, I kept the books and am glad I did.