Came across an interesting article in the Independent Publisher
Things Are Not What They Seem by Nina L. Diamond
Not a whole lot of new stuff except it really hammers home how bogus a bestseller claim can be. How the numbers really only reflect books ordered by booksellers and ignores the returns of unsold stock by bookstores. Where can librarians find the New York Times Most Returned List to help us weed?
I witnessed a very popular olive oil tasting at a local culinary supply store. People were probably just there for the free bread but there were some folks really concerned about learning about the best. I was thinking that the library could get some local restaurant chefs or connoisseurs, with the help of some gourmet grocery stores to hold some tastings of olive oils, chocolates, coffee, tea, spices and tie it in with the cookbook collection or even some culinary mysteries. I love the concept of America’s Test Kitchen, Cook’s Illustrated, the Consumer’s Reports for food stuff. I’m sure I’m not the first to think of this but I just don’t want to forget this idea since I know so many people who are always striving to know more about food.
The Daily Show featured Janis Karpinski, author of One Woman’s Army about the amok at Abu Gharib and her career in the military rising to the rank of Brigadeer General before being demoted and quite likely scapegoated by the Bush administration.
Currently watching: Tivo / The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – October 28, 2005 – guest Janis Karpinski
I’ve noticed for the past year that the books appearing on the Daily Show increased the number of requests on those books, hence my Daily Show Book Club. I’ve also noticed books appearing on shows like Desperate Housewives and thought that this marketing tie in has to be a boon to publishers as well. The Book Standard is running an article that illuminates the link between even a fleeting glance at a book on a television and increased sales. The labyrinthine Lost featured a book called The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien and as a result the relatively obscure book that sold about 15,000 copies between its 1999 reprint and 2005, has sold (shipped) 15,000 copies since the episode of Lost aired in September. As of today, the lone copy at the Campbell Library has 4 requests. Ahh, the power of the Telly.
The article notes that this kind of success doesn’t necessarily translate for all books. Stiff by Mary Roach, a book that I have read and really enjoyed, was featured on the last episode of Six Feet Under, barely registered on the indices of book popularity.
TV/Book tie-ins IN the library are a must.
Also, when I get to the library, remind me to do a “morbid” book and video list.
Currently watching: Tivo/Alias
Last night, I got a chance to see the Jessamyn West speak on “The Information Poor & The Information Don’t Care: Small Libraries and the Digital Divide” Jessamyn really illustrated how many people just don’t care about the internet and why access is so important. Standard disparities apply: poor, minority, and seniors. The other funny thing was how libraries in small towns in Vermont (probably all over rural America) deal with Computers, with a capital C, and the Internet.
Afterwards, Jessamyn joined cohorts Angie, Mana & Charlie, Alan, Kaye, Carla, Suzanne, Lara, David, and me in the traditional pilgrimage to Gordon Biersch for some Marzen, Blonde Bock, Ahi Tuna & Cucumber Salad, Garlic Fries, and bawdy librarian ribaldry.
Currently Watching: Tivo/ Daily Show with Jon Stewart: October 26, 2005 – Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of Team of Rivals : The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
We held our new employee orientation yesterday and I got a chance to meet one of our new teen librarians, and visit with some new librarians who I have known for a while. Congrats to all of them!
Sounds like most of us start on Nov. 8th which just happens to be election day. I love permanent absentee ballots.
My presentation at the orientation is a little flat, definitely not really meant to be viewed as a stand alone presentation. Should be more like a waiting room eye candy. I’m not saying it’s not informative but should be narrated if it’s going to be shown. I guess it’s out of my hands now.
AJAX is the FUTURE. The potential for libraries is insane. As more and more web based AJAX applications move to replace standard Office apps, libraries are going to be able to offer more and more services like word and image processing, spreadsheets, IM, web design, etc. to their patrons, probably(and hopefully) for free. Soon we’ll have options like YahooOffice or GooglePhotoshop. Look at the wicked development pace of Meebo.
The really “killer” Libray app is going to be an AJAX based web catalog where the user customizes the display of search results and integrates them with existing software and IM.
Yahoo is running an article here. Not as optimistic as me but, hey, I’m a dreamer.
Currently (half) watching: Grey’s Anatomy
The Book Standard, October 19, 2005, has an interesting article about Daniel Handler’s book tour by satellite at about 15 movie theaters around the country with a trivia contest and all. Now if only a bunch of public libraries could get in on an author satellite feed (cinemeeting) like this one.
Here is an excerpt:
This new satellite-broadcast solution was devised by HarperCollins and a company called National CineMedia, a venture of AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark USA, Inc. and Regal Entertainment Group, which operate close to 1,000 cinemas around the world. According to the company’s website, “one in every two households is within ten miles of one of these theatres.†For Handler’s event, 15 booksellers partnered with 15 movie theaters. Those who pre-ordered the book—which had a first print run of 2.5 million—from one of these stores, received a free ticket to the satellite event.
If it was a streaming web event, or even if the library partnered with the theaters to provide tickets– I know it is designed to sell books– the payoff would be enormous for the publisher in terms of marketing goodwill.
Currently reading: The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket
I was offered an adult librarian I position in at the library on the adult side and it was made public today. While most of my experience so far has been with children’s, training, web design, and some regular reference work. I am excited by all the challenges, opportunities and possibilities especially creating some innovative programs. I used the Daily Show Book Club as my example for the interview and I’d hope I get a chance to actually run it one day.