[Genealib] Local Author: definition needed

[Larry Oathout]

I LOVE the bumper sticker!  That describes our town perfectly :-)
 
Larry Oathout
Director
Tell City-Perry County Library
Tell City, IN 47586
812-547-2661
(Fax) 547-3038
www.tcpclibrary.org


-----Original Message-----
From: "Tom Kemp" <thomas.j.kemp at gmail.com>
To: "Librarians Serving Genealogists" <genealib at mailman.acomp.usf.edu>
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:44:14 -0500
Subject: Re: [Genealib] Local Author: definition needed


I have seen collections based on the state, "area" or just a city. When I 
was with the University - the approach was to have a "Faculty" book 
collection - and the focus was on the books they wrote before, during and 
after they were with the university. Our annual receptions for faculty that 
wrote books the previous year were always a huge success and built serious 
good will. 
 
I'd suggest that libraries collecting "city" authors frame their collection 
scope on all authors that have or currently reside in the town - collecting 
their books regardless of when they wrote the books. 

You could create a bibliography of all of these titles - and acquire only 
those titles that you can reasonably afford. This would allow you to avoid 
offending an author when you don't buy their books - because your decision 
is based on your real lack of funds and not a slight on the author for not 
having lived in the town long enough. The list then also becomes a record 
and a wish list.
 
As a current local resident he is demonstrating an interest in the library, 
a pride in his newly adopted community and of course a pride in the books 
that he wrote (you couldn't even buy lunch with the royalties from one or 
two copies of a book sold). 
 
This type of collection is a terrific way to build rapport with the 
community. Authors - particularly retired ones just might bring their 
grandchildren in to see their books on the shelf. Retirees are also a good 
source of donations. 
 
Use the collection as a point of civic pride and interest - connected to the 
people that call your town home and not just for the time they "wrote" 
there. 
 
As the bumper sticker says: "I may not have been born here - but I got here 
as fast as I could"
 
And don't forget - not enough local residents express interest in your 
library - always leave them positive and upbeat - do whatever it takes to 
get them what they ask - and if you just can't afford it - tell them - but 
always look for ways to not say no to their suggestion. 
 
Onward,
Tom
 
Thomas Jay Kemp
Thomas.J.Kemp at gmail.com 


On Wed, Feb 20, 2008 at 6:02 PM, Mara Munroe 
<Munroe at oshkoshpubliclibrary.org> wrote:

Friends,
 
We were recently approached by a man who wanted us to buy copies of his 
publications for our Local History Collection.  Catch is, he wrote them 
before he retired here.  They were scholarly items, not suitable for our 
circulating collection and quite expensive.  Some are available at the local 
university library.  So we declined and he was miffed.  Do you have a set 
number of years of local residency in your definition of Local Author?  Any 
other advice?  Thanks.
 
Mara
Mara B. Munroe
Local and Family History Librarian
Oshkosh Public Library
Oshkosh WI 54901-4985

"History is where the evidence leads us; heritage is what we choose to 
remember and celebrate."  Edward T. Linenthal, May 2005

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