http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/23/reference-question-of-the-week-21708 or, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Fear and Loathing at a Public Library Reference Desk Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:17:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/23/reference-question-of-the-week-21708#comment-49693 The Shadow Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:27:51 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=266#comment-49693 I have worked in bookstores and similar situations arise when self-published authors call in under assumed names and special order their own books, then "forget" to come pick them up. The books, being from vanity presses, are often non-returnable, so the bookstore is stuck with them and has to put them out on the shelf, where generally they languish forever because they are not professionally produced. I have no idea if that is the case here, but it sounds familiar. I have worked in bookstores and similar situations arise when self-published authors call in under assumed names and special order their own books, then “forget” to come pick them up. The books, being from vanity presses, are often non-returnable, so the bookstore is stuck with them and has to put them out on the shelf, where generally they languish forever because they are not professionally produced. I have no idea if that is the case here, but it sounds familiar.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/23/reference-question-of-the-week-21708#comment-49488 Leigh Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:14:07 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=266#comment-49488 Our library in Oregon just received this exact same email. I had gone to NPR's website to look for the review and of course didn't find one, but with further googling I found your blog entry. Thanks for posting - it will save us $20, which is no small sum to our struggling library system. Our library in Oregon just received this exact same email. I had gone to NPR’s website to look for the review and of course didn’t find one, but with further googling I found your blog entry. Thanks for posting - it will save us $20, which is no small sum to our struggling library system.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/23/reference-question-of-the-week-21708#comment-49305 Brian Herzog Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:15:20 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=266#comment-49305 I do see your point, but my take is this: I'm providing information, and people can make their own informed decisions. They say there is no such thing as bad publicity, but I did not buy this book after I read what other people wrote. I do see your point, but my take is this: I’m providing information, and people can make their own informed decisions. They say there is no such thing as bad publicity, but I did not buy this book after I read what other people wrote.

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/23/reference-question-of-the-week-21708#comment-49304 Robert Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:50:38 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=266#comment-49304 Isn't the irony that by posting those emails - you're actually helping advertise that author! Isn’t the irony that by posting those emails - you’re actually helping advertise that author!

]]> http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2008/02/23/reference-question-of-the-week-21708#comment-49266 Kate Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:34:08 +0000 http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/?p=266#comment-49266 I've encountered this before, too. I have to admit, it's an interesting and time-consuming idea, but also completely annoying. It's really easy to tell at a college if the person is affiliated or not. I always write back something similar to what you did - implying I know they are not affiliated, asking if they are affiliated, etc. They never respond. I’ve encountered this before, too. I have to admit, it’s an interesting and time-consuming idea, but also completely annoying. It’s really easy to tell at a college if the person is affiliated or not. I always write back something similar to what you did - implying I know they are not affiliated, asking if they are affiliated, etc. They never respond.

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