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Academic libraries do not exist to preserve artifacts
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Most libraries do not exist to preserve artifacts athough there are some that do.
These days most libraries and librarians are not intellectual preservers of lost or rare books, but more akin to stores store clerks. It is a job and they do what they are told. Who can blame them.
If the library doesn't acquire a book through regular channels it goes on the sale rack. If a book is deteroriating in physical quality it goes in the sales bin or is turfed even if it is the last copy in existence.
How could the branch librarian know it is rare or unique without being given the time and motivation to check on these things.
Helen