Comments on: Why libraries should offer popular fiction—in both print and e-book formats

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 01:54:10 +0000

Isabelle Fetherston’s comments here vanished during a database problem. I’m restoring them below. – DR

Laura B: I agree that libraries will choose books according the core values of that library. Usually, libraries try to develop their collection to match the needs of their particular community. Many libraries will buy books suggested by a patron.

You make a good point about how librarians can help readers to find good genre fiction, which matches the reader’s interests and preferences.

By: info NeoGnostic: MLA: Not an original thought...

info NeoGnostic: MLA: Not an original thought... — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:53:12 +0000

[...] should remain in libraries when most people buy books”….. he is quoted in the Portsmouth Newsbut TeleRead has uncovered a possible source for that thought. In the 19th century it was relatively unusual for [...]

By: Laura Brenkus

Laura Brenkus — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:05:25 +0000

Bill makes a good point about budgetary concerns and these types of purchases will always be guided by the core values of each particular library. A librarian’s job is not to dictate taste but to facilitate discriminating choices. There CAN be standards in “low brow” genres as well, and it would be well worth the time to pursue this type of guidance on a librarian’s behalf, than to ignore the genre altogether.

By: Bill Janssen

Bill Janssen — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:09:00 +0000

Unfortunately, most libraries have limited resources, and choices have to be made. Typically, librarians end up making those choices. If the choice is between, say, Dan Brown’s latest thriller or a copy of Lucene in Action, I’d rather my librarian avoid the excrutiating tripe that Brown churns out.

By: Isabelle Fetherston

Isabelle Fetherston — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 14:32:27 +0000

Jon J: Thank you for your insightful comment. I agree with you that reading for “escape” and enjoyment is a perfectly good reason to read. Also, people tend to discuss popular bestsellers, which adds a social aspect to reading.

By: Library Stuff » Blog Archives » E-books - Fiction

Library Stuff » Blog Archives » E-books - Fiction — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:56:46 +0000

[...] David Rothman – Why libraries should offer popular fiction—in both print and e-book formats Posted in E-Books, fiction | Trackback | del.icio.us | Top Of Page [...]

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 05:10:13 +0000

Jon J: I don’t mess with rating more than a few comments, but you can bet I clicked on “Yes” in reply to your just-given one! You made a great case, adding to Isabelle’s already-convincing arguments. Down with pomposity and up with escape! Sometimes kids learn to enjoy books in spite of certain teachers and librarians. Thanks. – David

By: Jon Jermey

Jon Jermey — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 04:54:56 +0000

As a fan of classic detective fiction I occasionally come across this kind of snobbery. It usually takes the form of an appeal to ‘realism’ – novels in which detectives are violent thugs are somehow assumed to be more ‘realistic’ than those in which they are deductive geniuses. Then ‘realistic’ is taken to be equivalent to ‘good’. And we can see that attitude at work in Isaacson’s quote criticising books that provide ‘escape’.

Of course, claiming a work is ‘realistic’ is just a snob’s way of saying ‘I like it’, and calling it ‘escapist’ is a snob’s way of saying ‘I didn’t like it’. Everything from Lord of the Rings to Brothers Karamazov has been described as both ‘realistic’ and ‘escapist’ by one snob or another. But since ‘realism’ is never given an objective meaning, the claim that ‘realistic’ books are better is never defended — merely assumed.

Anyhow, as far as I can see, escapism is the whole point of reading novels. If I want cold hard facts then I’ll buy a textbook.

The Grumpy Old Bookman occasionally takes a well-aimed swipe at pompous critics and reviewers like Isaacson.