I went to the Public Library today to donate stuff. On a whim, I decided to see which branch had a copy of Charles Dickens' "Dombey and Son." Correct answer: None.
Also no "Barnaby Rudge" or "Martin Chuzzlewit." Say what? The entire library system for Charlotte-Mecklenburg has no copies at all of three novels by Chuck D., the most popular writer of the 19th century? He wrote 15 novels, not counting "A Christmas Carol," and we're missing 20 percent.
I realize there's not a vast demand for these books. I realize I can find them online for relatively little dough. I also saw an inexpensive copy of "Dombey" at The Last Word, where I go from time to time for shopping therapy. (It's the only used bookstore in Charlotte, as far as I know, that sells many CDs and DVDs.)
I also realize libraries want desperately to attract patrons who aren't middle-aged white guys, so DVDs and CDs and graphic novels and beach reads and literature aimed at underrepresented communities all take priority over musty, little-known novels by dead Brits. (I won't ask what happened to the copies of "Rudge" and "Chuzzlewit" I donated. I assume they were sold, which won't keep me from renewing my Friends of the Library membership.)
But one of the functions of a great public library is to offer books by the most important authors -- not just the most popular reads, but at least one copy of all significant titles by a writer of this caliber. And Dickens isn't an isolated incident: The library has Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote" in English and Spanish, but not a single other work by Spain's most prominent writer. Surely there's room in our up-to-date system for a bit more history?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Chucked out at the library
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11 comments:
A sad commentary on what our society has become.
You might check to see how much the county commissioners have cut the library's funding for books over the last couple of years. The library can't even afford the books patrons need and want, let alone unpopular museum pieces a columnist looks for "on a whim."
You might have been able to ask a staff member for help, but oops, those were cut, too.
All three titles mentioned can be read in digital format and are available to download from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library website. Or you can go directly to www.gutenberg.org. Just ask your friendly librarian next time!
When I arrived in Charlotte in 2002, the main library still had an outstanding collection of books and CDs. I was delighted to accidentally discover singers such as bass-baritone Peter Dawson (1882-1961) and French tenor Georges Thill (1897-1984). The library "weeded" out those marvelous CDs years ago, along with countless full opera sets and thousands of books. The book shelves in the main library are now a half to a third full.
I tried to donate my books to the liberry but they wouldn't take them. All the pictures had been colored.
Yep pretty sad the library kept its top heaviness and purged collections and staff. Seems they have relegated themselves to be the homeless shelter annex.
To Anon 3:58: You can't be serious about the "museum piece" thing? We are talking Dickens, here. I don't think whims are illegal at the public library, and even columnists qualify for their membership card(smileyface), I think. The library's budget is truly a shame, but Toppman did mention that he had donated copies of Dickens and you can't get cheaper than free. Another post above mentions materials that used to be on the shelves and now are gone. Again, not a budgetary issue.
Most people don't have a Kindle or an IPad. Those who do can go to a free website without without going to the library.
It would be fun to get your readers' lists of 5 essential, deserted-island books and see if the library has them.
Nowadays, I just go to the library for kids books.
No point in paying for them.
And just about everything else is available online. More than I can possibly read.
Certainly, if you don't care what you read, the Internet provides more than plenty.
Lawrence, your blog post gets at a significant question What is the function of a great public library in today’s society? Over the course of the past two years, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has been asking how do we provide the best service possible with the resources available. A library’s collection of books and materials is a depreciating asset, like a car or a house. Without routine maintenance, they deteriorate. As the Library’s materials budget has decreased by more than 50 percent (from $3.4 million in 2007 to about $1.8 million in 2011), our ability to maintain the collection has been challenging. We are relying heavily on free digital content for less popular classics and on interlibrary loan that allows us to borrow titles from other libraries. We thank you for considering the library a valuable resource as a library user and Friend of the Library.
Sincerely, Linda Raymond, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Materials Manager
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