Comments on: So the ALA, Microsoft, and France walk into a bar… http://blog.booklistonline.com/2007/12/05/so-the-ala-microsoft-and-france-walk-into-a-bar/ Behind the Book Reviews--The Official Blog of Booklist Online Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:01:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Keir http://blog.booklistonline.com/2007/12/05/so-the-ala-microsoft-and-france-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-87671 Keir Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:26:40 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2007/12/05/so-the-ala-microsoft-and-france-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-87671 I guess I ended with a question because I'm not so sure myself. As a BookPerson(TM), I definitely support the idea of supporting books that appeal to even a small readership...and many books that are now considered classics began their public existence with three-digit print runs. They can't be discovered unless they exist in the first place. But I disagree with Last's contention that "whether or not a book has readers matters little". It does matter. A book that has world-changing ideas can't change the world if the world can't find it. I guess I ended with a question because I’m not so sure myself. As a BookPerson(TM), I definitely support the idea of supporting books that appeal to even a small readership…and many books that are now considered classics began their public existence with three-digit print runs. They can’t be discovered unless they exist in the first place.

But I disagree with Last’s contention that “whether or not a book has readers matters little”. It does matter. A book that has world-changing ideas can’t change the world if the world can’t find it.

]]> By: Carol Kania http://blog.booklistonline.com/2007/12/05/so-the-ala-microsoft-and-france-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-87667 Carol Kania Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:06:15 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2007/12/05/so-the-ala-microsoft-and-france-walk-into-a-bar/#comment-87667 Sorry to answer your (very thought-provoking) question with more questions, but are books like insurance, in that it's good to have them around even if they're never used? Or, are they like stocks or real estate, essentially worthless until they're put into circulation? From a selfish point of view, I have (I hope) many, many years on this planet to fill and I like knowing that there will always be books to read. On the other hand, as a taxpayer, I have to wonder why libraries should purchase materials that sit unused (well, I really don't believe that. I am playing Devil's Taxpayer here). Sorry to answer your (very thought-provoking) question with more questions, but are books like insurance, in that it’s good to have them around even if they’re never used? Or, are they like stocks or real estate, essentially worthless until they’re put into circulation?

From a selfish point of view, I have (I hope) many, many years on this planet to fill and I like knowing that there will always be books to read. On the other hand, as a taxpayer, I have to wonder why libraries should purchase materials that sit unused (well, I really don’t believe that. I am playing Devil’s Taxpayer here).

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