Quote:
Originally Posted by VillageReader
I don't even think libraries own most of their popular fiction. Think about a Stephen King, DaSilva, Nora Roberts.... A small library may only want to own 2-3 copies of any popular fiction for the long term, but need 30 copies during the peak demand period when a book after the book is released. The solution is to rent 27 copies, not own them, and send them back when the peak demand begins to subside. If I'm not mistaken, I think there are some publishers that may even show a book as a library edition on the copyright page.
|
As a librarian, I've never heard of that practice. AFAIK, all libraries buy all the books they have to lend, although most libraries today are in a consortium which has a common database catalog and you can get books sent to your library from any of the other ones in the consortium. But they don't rent them.