[olug] Open Source at the Public Library

[OBrien, Timothy (Omaha Linux Users Group - OLUG)]

<quote who="Eric Johnson">
> -- Previous comments snipped for clarity --
>
> While it always sounds like a good idea to donate books to the library,
> in my experience they take most/all donations and throw them in the pile
> for the next 'Friends of the Library' sale where the book you just spent
> $X on gets sold to someone for $0.25.
>
> The only exceptions (again, in my personal experience) are books that
> agree with the librarian's personal agenda or that are on some kind of
> targeted acquisition list.
>

Eric - It all depends on many factors, some I mentioned in the original
post, ones you mentioned, and still others that were mentioned in the /.
thread. Which I why I suggested coordinating your donation(s) with the
Library director, or (even better) coordinating with the Library Board.
Sure, there may be a hidden agenda - but the Librarian knows what the
patrons ask for & desire when they come into the Library. The Librarian
has to meet the needs of the patrons.

That might be an option - making it a 'big deal' donation to the library
board to make sure it is added to the collection & available to the
patrons.

I know for the library I work at that each & every item is screened if it
is needed for the collection, will it hold up with constant use
(paperbacks, poor binding), and if the title is out of date. Most of our
donations are sitting waiting to be added to the collection, added to the
paperback exchange, used for the outreach programs, or offered to other
libraries for their collections. If nothing else (they are so old, falling
apart, etc), we box them up & they get auctioned off, with the funding
going to titles we would never have donated.
(a simplistic look at the process & the situation, but you get the idea.)


--
Timothy "Irish" O'Brien
Publicity & Social activities chairperson
Omaha Linux User's Group (OLUG)
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