Libraries: a story of hope

A couple of times in recent months I've read stories of libraries in the USA just not buying books any more. One recent discussion list post asked "Imagine if you could walk into your public library and it looked like Barnes and Noble, or Borders, or your independent book store." Well, despite there being tales of constant budget cuts and pressure for funds to be transferred to the electronic services of libraries, it gave me hope that local libraries at least near me in Australia do look bright, with comfortable seating, helpful staff, and no shortage of custom.

When the latest Harry Potter book was released here, it wasn't the local bookstores putting on a major show, it was the local public library. The release time here in Australia was 10am and, at 11am they had the books arrive, a dress-up contest, a reading of the first chapter, displays of other recommended children's books and names could be added to the waiting list of those who wanted the HP copies. Of course the other recommended books by other authors, including several local authors, were available for instant loan.

And I should add that authors and publishers get paid an annual fee for books in public libraries -- a little over a dollar a book for authors, a small fraction of that for publishers. It's done on a random sample basis so payments aren't absolutely accurate but that does keep admin costs of the scheme down. I have a book published more than 10 years ago which still shows up in the survey so I've received around $10 per copy in libraries as the author of that... It will almost certainly go below the 50 copy national threshold this year but that book would have almost been worth writing for library sales alone.

I just hope that the USA realizes the importance of public libraries and adopts the way of the UK, many European countries, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, etc. See http://www.plrinternational.com/

I've seen comments from small publishers that library sales could be hurting their other sales. I just cannot see that. It is not uncommon for the letters or emails we get at Worsley Press from people who order direct to say things like "I borrowed the book from the library but I want a copy for myself" and I'm sure that is only the tip of the iceberg.