Book Disposal in Laguna Vista
I came home from the Post Office run today with a copy of the PI Press and a copy of the Island Breeze. Both publications lead with stories about the book purge at the LV Library. Both stories agree that books were tossed into a dumpster -- but that was about the only thing they agree on. The Press quotes mayor David Privet stating that books that had not been checked out in more than a year were being eliminated, while the Breeze - quoting LV alderman and Mayor Pro Tem Stan Hulse - asserts that plain old dirt and health concerns was the culprit.
Well, I don't know who is right, but throwing away a book just because it hasn't been checked out in a year is a piss-poor policy, IMHO. So I hope the Breeze got it right. And then I got to wondering if a copy of my book "Sandcastles Made Simple" ever wound up in that library. And if maybe it never got checked out because just about everyone I know in the area already has a copy or four.
So if anyone sees a sandcastle book in the bin, please grab it for me, okay?
Well, I don't know who is right, but throwing away a book just because it hasn't been checked out in a year is a piss-poor policy, IMHO. So I hope the Breeze got it right. And then I got to wondering if a copy of my book "Sandcastles Made Simple" ever wound up in that library. And if maybe it never got checked out because just about everyone I know in the area already has a copy or four.
So if anyone sees a sandcastle book in the bin, please grab it for me, okay?
posted by Lucinda at 9:45 AM
7 Comments:
Why can't these conservative, inept fools stick to burning copies of Frank Zappa records, like Tipper Gore did way back in the 80's? They probably nailed Huckelberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Gray's Human Anatomy.
On page 482 of Gray's Anatomy there is a drawing of the cerebellum for 'Americanus Doofus,' which indicates that a microscope is required for a full examination. Oh, we can see why now! :)
After reading the story in the Breeze, I hope that was the reason for disposing of the books. I don't know if the Mayor or Pro-Tem are are conservative or libs, but disgarding books based on limited use would be wrong. At least it is not like the libs in the ACLU who are proud to uphold the right to burn the American Flag. They overturned S.J. Res. 12 in June. REAL AMERICANS!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's get burning for Labor Day....
MLeahy
I don't know if I trust very much written in the paper, as people only tell the part of the story they want to tell. After checking around it did become obvious that PI didn't know how to run a proper library. All libraries have programs for acquisition, sharing with the state, and getting rid of books not longer fit for circulation because they are worn - but rat crap and Dempsey dumpsters and politicians?
Not a good combination.
Agreed Sam, but remember it is not PI but LV we are talking about here.
I agree that something does not sound right, there is a procedure for disposing of books in poor condition. I think donating to Goodwill would be a great start. If however, they were contaminated with rat feces (a great source of Hemorrhagic Fever) throwing them in a dumpster only allows the feces to become airborne (more dangerous). Let me know if you find out the real story. Thanks
MLeahy
Lucinda is right ... I just got my copy of the PI Press (possibly why I was confused). It reads in part:
"But photographs of the books Privett ordered trahed clearly reveal that many of them were in very good condition and many were hardbacks."
Port Isabel Press, August 31, 2006, 'Laguna Vista library purge causes outrage,' Vol. 57, No. 69
Just to settle the issue for you, the books in question that were disposed of had been contaminated with a number of things and had been determined to be a health risk by the local inspector. None were disposed of "controversial." Part of the problem was the librarian who had not done her dury keeping the library cleen.
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