« Libraries in India | Main | RFID? »
July 30, 2007
How to check stock
There is an interesting discussion going on below here on the quality of stock in libraries.
Here is a tip from someone who has 'checked stock' for a long time--
Step 1- Before you go into the library/bookstore write down a list of ten items. They can be specific titles or topics (like Egyptian pyramids or Fuchsias). But they want to be something that would be of interest to or useful to you or someone in your family. If you pick authors, be specific about one title. You must make this list on paper before you go in.
Step 2 - try and find them.
Step 3 - Give the library/bookstore a score out of ten
You will find that it is an infallible measure of the quality of whatever stock the library/bookstore holds. It is very interesting and very revealing. Compare the score with another library bookstore. That will be even more interesting and revealing.
Posted by Tim Coates at July 30, 2007 6:15 PM
Comments
Well, to take a very specific example Rotherham Central beats Sheffield Waterstones on Rabelais and Levi.
Trouble with this is, for bookshop and library, is that it islimited to the chance of your visit. Several visits over time would be better.
Posted by: Pete at July 31, 2007 8:45 AM
I told you what you found would be revealing-- of course you should do more- do it all the time-- it is very instructive.
Posted by: Tim Coates at July 31, 2007 9:23 AM
Well, in terms of my other interests- the Civil War, wine and 'commodity history'- the library tends to hold its own and indeed come out on top a lot of the time. Same goes for popular cookery titles.
I can't comment too much on fiction as I don't tend to read that much of it.
Posted by: Pete at July 31, 2007 11:44 AM
I hope someone is passing this on to the manager of Waterstone's in Sheffield
Posted by: Tim Coates at July 31, 2007 8:18 PM
I don't consider that part of my duty Tim :) Managers are there to manage after all. As I say, the library generally holds its own. It doesn't have everything, and the big W often carries the more 'obscure' stuff, but the library has a very good stock of what I would consider 'core' titles in these areas.
On the whole I am a happy customer of Waterstones, mainly taking advantage of their three-for-two on history and so forth; but it's just part of my 'portfolio' of book suppliers, along with the library, Amazon, charity shops and (where they can be found, and here's where my discomfort with Waterstones, Borders et al comes in) good independent and second hand book shops.
Posted by: Pete at August 1, 2007 8:40 AM