POW! Right 'n da kissa!

JoeEkaitis · Jan 23, 2007

So, I take a couple copies of Collinsfort Village to a local library and hand them to the woman at the Children's circulation desk. She takes them to the head librarian's office and the head librarian informs me that the book would have to be reviewed before they decide if it'll be put into circulation.

Then comes the bombshell:

"Can you direct us to any reviews of your book in School Library Journal or Publishers' Weekly?"

You coulda knocked me over with a feather. All I could do was explain that the publisher DID submit copies to all the library mags within their lead times. I offered to e-mail her a link to a few online reviews.

She handed me her business card and said she'd call.

Pamster · Jan 24, 2007

Wow that is mind blowing! :Shrug:

C.bronco · Jan 24, 2007

Good gravy! What happened to "Thank you for the free books?"

Pamster · Jan 24, 2007

Yeah really C.bronco, they should be pleased to get them...I took in my son's old but still useable books and they were really happy to take them.

JoeEkaitis · Jan 24, 2007

A clarification: The librarian took the books before handing me her business card and saying she'd call with the news, good or bad. Still, not the reaction I expected.

Christine N. · Jan 24, 2007

Take them to the local middle school, along with your media packet. Most middle schools are woefully understocked, and woefully underbudgeted. My aunt is always buying books for "her library" when she's home, because they're always cutting her budget.

Maybe you'll get a school visit out of it.

Soccer Mom · Jan 24, 2007

Wow. Way to overwhelm you with interest. "Thanks for the books; where are they reviewed?" Not the response I would expect.

paprikapink · Jan 24, 2007

My daughter gave "Collinsfort Village" five stars. She's not online though, darn it.

JoeEkaitis · Jan 24, 2007

paprikapink said:
My daughter gave "Collinsfort Village" five stars. She's not online though, darn it.

Can you give her five kisses for me?

Pamster · Jan 24, 2007

JoeEkaitis said:
A clarification: The librarian took the books before handing me her business card and saying she'd call with the news, good or bad. Still, not the reaction I expected.

That's still too bad, I bet I run into the same thing with mine when I get to that point, even though they really like me at the library, I am there all the time getting videos and dvd's for my son.

Hopefully she'll call with good news.

Azure Skye · Jan 24, 2007

C.bronco said:
Good gravy! What happened to "Thank you for the free books?"

Indeed!

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 24, 2007

I'm not sure what reaction you were expecting. Them to just thank you, take the books, put a Dewey Decimal System tag on it and place it on the shelf without even checking to see what the book was about?

JoeEkaitis · Jan 24, 2007

I wasn't expecting the question about a review in a major library journal. If that's the deciding factor, then there's not much hope for small publishers and their authors.

Shadow_Ferret · Jan 24, 2007

It IS a beauracracy.

Although it does make one wonder if being reviewed in a major Library periodical is mandatory. Is it safe to assume therefore that every book in the library has been reviewed by these presitigious magazines at one time or another?

stormie · Jan 24, 2007

Amazing. I thought donations were a good thing for libraries.

JoeEkaitis · Jan 24, 2007

Shadow_Ferret said:
Is it safe to assume therefore that every book in the library has been reviewed by these presitigious magazines at one time or another?

Your guess = as good as mine.

Cath · Jan 25, 2007

Shadow_Ferret said:
It IS a beauracracy.

Although it does make one wonder if being reviewed in a major Library periodical is mandatory.

No, it's a shortcut way of assessing the content of the book. I'm not defending this library's policy in any way - honestly, I think they're just being lazy.

However:

Some Librarians are under pressure from local communities to ensure that the books on the library shelves meet (often undefined) moral and ethical standards. While many Librarians are trying to resist this insanse form of censorship, the bottom line is that they can lose their job if their "bosses" disapprove of the materials made available in the library. The pressure is greater on small, one man and school libraries where one individual is responsible for selection of materials. Some libraries post a list of banned books (I know my local one does) - it's worth checking them out if you get a chance.

Pamster · Jan 25, 2007

stormie said:
Amazing. I thought donations were a good thing for libraries.

Same here. :Shrug:

Jamesaritchie · Jan 25, 2007

Pow

I'm not sure why this is surprising. No library worth its salt allows books into the children's section of a librray until and unless they know the contents. This knowledge most often comes from reviews in such places as Library Journal, but can, on occasion, come from actually reading the book.

It's usually a different matter in the adult section, but a librray would have to be nuts to accept a children's book in knows nothing about. Not only is shelf space usually very valuable in a the children's section, but talk abouut a great way to have a bunch of irate parents descend on the place.

It's kind of odd to think a library would simply take children's books they know nothing about and place them in circulation.

Lauri B · Jan 25, 2007

JoeEkaitis said:
I wasn't expecting the question about a review in a major library journal. If that's the deciding factor, then there's not much hope for small publishers and their authors.

Actually, that's not true. Small publishers get in SLJ every month. In fact, it would be worth having your publisher follow up with the review publications editors and ask what they should do in the future to get a better chance at receiving a review. And you should also make sure that your publisher sent a review copy to such publications as VOYA, Booklist, KLIATT, Kirkus, and Children's Literature. All those are legit and trusted review sources, and their editors are very accessible. I've found that school libraries, especially, rely on reviews in SLJ and PW when ordering books. Some public libraries subscribe to recommended lists put out by organizations and only buy what's on the list.

JoeEkaitis · Jan 25, 2007

Different library, different reaction

At my hometown library, the woman at the counter lit up like a Christmas tree at the word "donate", took the book and a business card and said she'd make sure the branch manager would see it.

It felt . . . better.

Pamster · Jan 25, 2007

JoeEkaitis said:
At my hometown library, the woman at the counter lit up like a Christmas tree at the word "donate", took the book and a business card and said she'd make sure the branch manager would see it.

It felt . . . better.

That is what I hope to see happen when I get my children's stories printed and bound for public distribution.

I am glad your hometown library was better JoeEkaitis, that's much better then what happened at the other library you posted about in the OP here.

Mom'sWrite · Jan 25, 2007

paprikapink said:
My daughter gave "Collinsfort Village" five stars. She's not online though, darn it.

I'm reading Collinsfort Village to my kids right now. My 5 year old is in love with Griff and wants him to come for a play date real soon. This morning I found the book under her pillow AGAIN. (I'm not sure how I feel about this interspecies love connection yet, but at least she's stopped talking about marrying Daddy.) It's a big hit here.

(The characters are delightful and deserving of at least one more trip around the block. Write a sequel and watch the demand for Collinsfort Village go through the roof, Library Journal reviews or not.)

Mom'sWrite · Jan 25, 2007

JoeEkaitis said:
So, I take a couple copies of Collinsfort Village to a local library and hand them to the woman at the Children's circulation desk. She takes them to the head librarian's office and the head librarian informs me that the book would have to be reviewed before they decide if it'll be put into circulation.

Then comes the bombshell:

"Can you direct us to any reviews of your book in School Library Journal or Publishers' Weekly?"

You coulda knocked me over with a feather. All I could do was explain that the publisher DID submit copies to all the library mags within their lead times. I offered to e-mail her a link to a few online reviews.

She handed me her business card and said she'd call.

The public library system I worked for had a policy of buying reviewed books and frequently requested items whether or not they were reviewed in the big two trade publications.

With a little bit of grass roots support Collinsfort Village can pick up steam. You should encourage kids, parents, grandparents and everyone to fill out a request form for the book. Have a teacher use the text as a class reading project, that always generates a ton of requests at every library, public and school.

Christine N. · Jan 25, 2007

Yep, but sending the requisite copies is no guarantee of a review. In fact the odds are against you - they only have so much space and receive hundreds of books a month.

I always send along a media kit, complete with reviews that I have gotten, when I want to give a book. It may not be Booklist, but it's better than nothing.

My home library also had no problems. They had a lovely reception for me and everything.

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