Let's hope Tim succeeds in his purpose. Not everything can be found on the Net, and it's nice to have a (mostly) quiet place where one can focus on what one is reading.

And tangentally related to books, Jeff Jarvis of Buzzmachine (http://www.buzzmachine.com/) has a posting up on "Waking up the Brigadoon book business". (I'd link directly, but you don't allow HTML in your comments, and the URL for the page itself is a tad long.)

Why mention it? What Jeff proposes should have an impact on how libraries operate. Popular titles could be offered as PDF or Print on Demand for a nominal fee. Titles lost or stolen could be replaced more easily than now. While the library could choose which titles to display on the shelves while keeping others available electronically. With Internet access and a POD printer/binder a public library nestled in the corner of a village store could offer most any title available.

Just giving you ideas. :)

Thank God for ideas - and for new thinking, particularly in the library sector. And I believe Tim's blog has been recaptured from the hijackers and is fully functional now.

Richard, Alan

Yes thanks for these ideas. They are useful. It's important to maintain a large element of serendipity in a public library, but at the same time there is a need to obtain particular copies from some very small buildings. The library suppliers and the profession are alert to these kinds of things, but the biggest problem is a need to stick to doing the core job. The public library system is awash with innovation, but there are no books in the libraries, and they are generally not open when needed and the windows aren't clean. One is a bit like matron.

The blog is reopened after an attack, as Richard says, by lunatic hackers

www.goodlibraryguide.com/blog/

Tim,

Good to hear. Hope the hijackers get more than their share of pain.

In the field of libraries I'd like to see people who love books involved, and interested in sharing their passion. At the same time, people willing to give genres they haven't tried before a chance. Instead of dismissing them out of hand.

BTW, a local science fiction/fantasy literary convention is coming up at the end of September. You can get details at www.conjecture.org. One proposed panel (we're voting on them) deals with the question of genre in a time of change. One example given is science fiction and fantasy books being sold as romances. And yes, I have seen fantasies with romance covers.

In your part of the world how much cross genre or mixed genre publishing have you seen?

Do you reckon a commercial library business would work? I'm not a fan of privatisation, but it's an interesting thought. At Snowbooks we've often talked about having the equivalent of a Blockbuster Video except for books; it could have an online aspect based on the postal service, plus a bricks and mortar side where revenue streams could include buying the books, a small hire charge, coffee, and, I don't know, stuff. Clearly I've never thought this idea through properly but I'd be interested to hear people's reactions.

Not commercial, a private lending library with a sliding fee scale. The more you can afford, the more you pay. With discounted fees for the elderly, school children, the disabled, and the homeless.

Minimum hygiene standards. Cooperate with social agencies working to get the homeless into stable housing and employment or assistance.

Physical plant anchor for complex of establishments catering to the libary trade. Such as cafes, coffee shops, tourist traps, bookstores, and the like. All potential store proprietors required to take classes on good business practices. Classes provided by the library at a nominal fee.

Library to include reading rooms, music rooms, meeting rooms, and class rooms. Also Internet access and a special library database. Arrangements with local academies, notables, and groups for talks, demonstrations, classes, events. Host seminars and small conventions.

Library to have cats and dogs on the premises. Those allergic to cats and/or dogs to be given information regarding where to obtain the services of an allergist, along with information regarding advances in the treatment of allergies, and encouraged to take advantage of said services. Those who just plain hate cats and/or dogs can go hang.

Arrrgh! Forgot this part.

Establish book exchange and book pass on. Patrons encouraged to meet at a regular time to trade books amongst themselves. Or to leave books with the library that others could then take and read. Hopefully to pass on in turn.