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Stalking the Public Library

posted by Zed on March 23 2003 10:55

In a tragic blow to local booksellers, I’ve been using the public library more often. Placing a hold on a book used to cost $.50, but is now free. The online catalog lets one place holds on books.

Once a popular book is out, it’s common for there to be dozens of holds on it; it would take months for one’s number to come up. For instance, there are still 12 holds on Stupid White Men, 15 on Fast Food Nation. 42 on Pattern Recognition.

But one can place a hold as soon as the library orders the book, before the library copy is available, often before its publication. And, so, when I know of a forthcoming book I want to read, I’ve taken to stalking the library’s online catalog. Checking the book’s status over and over. Until I pounce.

I scored Pattern Recognition that way. What Should I Do With My Life? The library’s now processing Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About and I’ll have it in my hot little hands soon. This weekend, I put holds on Villa Incognito, McSweeney’s Mammoth Treasury of Thrilling Tales, Set This House in Order.

I am a happy bookaholic.

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Comments

I do exactly the same thing in Toronto, and just scored three: M. John Harrison's _Light_, Joe Haldeman's _Guardian_, and Graham Joyce's _The Facts of Life_. Two of those books are on the best sf in 2002 list at Locus.

Our library doesn't stock McSweeney's, though; I'll probably have to buy that one.

Posted by Zvi on March 23 2003 11:11

South of the border, we're still awaiting the U.S. publication of Light -- sigh.

Posted by Zed on March 23 2003 11:48

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