Does your will include gifting your ebooks?

[Fiat_Lux]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

And how might this be accomplished for all electronic media. A clause in the will stating that you want all of your storage devices destroyed unread? Seems silly as anyone who could actually use this stuff could probably get it elsewhere.

A lot depends upon what that digital content is.

In days of yore, upon the demise of scholars, and their ilk, lawsuits were fought over who would obtain their physical library. This wasn't due to interest in the books it contained, but rather, the notes that were written in those books, and the journals that the scholar wrote.

Some ebook reading software has the ability to mark up the ebook, just like one can markup a pbook. Those notes that one makes in the ebook, can be as valuable as the notes made in the pbook.

Whilst _Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone_ can be picked up from a number of ebook stores, a copy with your notations about the passages in it that are from _The Book of Common Prayer_, is a one of a kind item. Those notes are not available anywhere else.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Fiat_Lux

A lot depends upon what that digital content is.

In days of yore, upon the demise of scholars, and their ilk, lawsuits were fought over who would obtain their physical library. This wasn't due to interest in the books it contained, but rather, the notes that were written in those books, and the journals that the scholar wrote.

Some ebook reading software has the ability to mark up the ebook, just like one can markup a pbook. Those notes that one makes in the ebook, can be as valuable as the notes made in the pbook.

Whilst _Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone_ can be picked up from a number of ebook stores, a copy with your notations about the passages in it that are from _The Book of Common Prayer_, is a one of a kind item. Those notes are not available anywhere else.

I was firmly discouraged from writing in books at an early age, other than colouring books or others designed for that purpose.
I've used post its and kept a list of helpful page numbers in reference books at the back.

I cannot see anyone getting excited about my views on a fiction book. Your experience is obviously different.

Are you eagerly awaiting someone's annotated copies of Harry Potter, or is someone eagerly awaiting yours? Or Book of Common Prayer? Just curious.

Helen

[Fiat_Lux]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Are you eagerly awaiting someone's annotated copies of Harry Potter, or is someone eagerly awaiting yours? Or Book of Common Prayer? Just curious.

I was using that as an example, basically because the entire series is littered with direct quotes, and paraphrases from The Book of Common Prayer.

[laughingdragons]

most of my ebooks are on my laptop and a couple hard drives. I learned the hard way awhile back not to leave anything on just one hard drive.

I guess I should tell my sister about them though. She doesn't know how many books I have and where to find them. She's the only one that would be interested in them.

[Tarana]

All the larger libraries are like this and it really annoyed me that the first 3 people I spoke with simply made up something like the response you received. I finally contacted the acquisitions librarian and she explained that for larger libraries, taking in some random book from the public is not as easy as it seems due to all sorts of rules and regulations and requirements. Heck, I even brought in a magazine to replace one that was damaged and they couldn't take it. Instead, I did as she suggested and donated reference material to both a high school library and a rural library after speaking with the person in charge of acquisitions. The problem was that someone LIED to you by just making up a response rather than just say "I don't know, let me find out."

He said he was assured they would go into a limited collection whatever that is, but was told later that that was never done. Donated books were always just sold. They did not have time to evaluate or catalogue them and it would cut down on their budget if they entered donated books into the catalogue.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Tarana

All the larger libraries are like this and it really annoyed me that the first 3 people I spoke with simply made up something like the response you received. I finally contacted the acquisitions librarian and she explained that for larger libraries, taking in some random book from the public is not as easy as it seems due to all sorts of rules and regulations and requirements. Heck, I even brought in a magazine to replace one that was damaged and they couldn't take it. Instead, I did as she suggested and donated reference material to both a high school library and a rural library after speaking with the person in charge of acquisitions. The problem was that someone LIED to you by just making up a response rather than just say "I don't know, let me find out."

I don't think the front desk people are lying, just making assumptions. Public libraries are all about budgets and grants which is understandable as this keeps them getting regular paychecks.

There is, in one library I know of, the perception that the more donations they actually acquisition, the more their budget will be reduced. Could be true. I don't know.

Helen

[Lin2412]

@ Helen, I think it could be true. It sounds ridiculous, but I've heard of that instance before too (although it was only a speculation by an acquaintance who used to do part-time). Anyway, the regulars wouldn't necessarily confirm. But some organizations would do anything for cost-savings.

[Katsunami]

At this point in time, I have nothing online, except for books and games in store's download sections. All of that is available off-line as well, however, and all of my media is without DRM, being either un-DRM-ed or bought as such. Even though it may not be legal, I'm sure people will copy that media if they want it.

[Fiat_Lux]

Originally Posted by Lin2412

@ Helen, I think it could be true. It sounds ridiculous, but I've heard of that instance before too

After looking at the financials, and related information, about two different public library systems, it appeared to me that donated books that were not put into the library's book sale, had a negative impact on the ability of the library to acquire more books.

After looking at the data for several non-profit research libraries, it appears that donations can be put into their collection, but only within specific parameters.

One of the libraries I looked at, had been black-listed from making any purchases of new material, by the usual trade vendors. At least one book distributor threatened to cut off a bookstore, because it was allegedly supplying that library with new books.

How much good your donation will do, depends upon how it is funded, and what its primary purpose is.