Where Old Books Go

I’m weeding half of our reference collection. I now realize I’ve come down on the far side of a fence. It divides those who think public libraries should be archives of books and arcane finding aids from those who believe public libraries should be repositories of information and information-finding tools in all formats, taking full advantage of easily-updatable and portable electronic formats.

Looking at all the old, one-of-a-kind books I am removing from our collection, I feel a nostalgia for the sweat equity I put into learning about print sources: the hours spent examining indexes, introductions, scope notes, imprints, editions. The getting-to-know-you feeling that comes from that initial “handshake” with a book. In another time, these tomes were useful and used. Today, the bindings are worn, the print is faded, the knowledge contained inside updated in other sources. They are superseded. I’m weeding them. The shelves look empty, but I feel good that the books that are left will be used more, now that the outdated volumes are gone.Books like those I’m weeding have a place – just not in this public library.

Research libraries still exist on college campuses and as private institutions. I use them myself, and am grateful for the librarians that had the foresight to know which books would have lasting value for researchers. Those old books will always have a place to call home, complete with book sofa, like this 1867 document in the New Orleans Historical Collections.

Weeding and Reading Hawaiiana

Lanikai Point

I am visiting family in Kailua, Hawaii this week.  Usually, I do actually visit family members, but this time around, it’s not working out as expected: Brother’s entire family is away, and I’m cat- and betta-sitting (and using his wi-fi.)  Mother’s caregivers now come 6 1/2 days a week, and she sleeps a lot, anyway.  Aunt contracted a case of bronchitis, and her care home quarantined her – 35 other residents of the home are also sick – so I haven’t been to visit her yet.  Don’t want to bring the virus home to Mother, and don’t want to infect myself for the trip back home.  Cousin probably won’t come by for a visit this time, because his wife  … well, you get the picture.  I’m bored in Hawaii!

Kailua Library's reference Hawaiiana collection

So – I walked over to the Kailua Library and offered to perform a few hours per day of volunteer service for them.  They agreed, and, to my very great surprise, set me to weeding the Hawaiiana reference collection.  It was a surprise, because many of the titles are locally published and are not reviewed in the mainstream journals – I haven’t kept up with local publishing for over 20 years, so felt uncomfortable pulling some titles that were very outdated – didn’t know whether there were any newer editions, nor whether the library even had funds to purchase them if there were.  But the staff there were encouraging, and I filled up a book truck.

Picky details that only a shelver or librarian would notice: Sacramento Public includes the year of publication as the last line of the call number – easy to spot old titles at a glance.  Hawaii does not, but apparently felt the need for an easier way to check than by looking at the verso of the title page, so recently began typing the date of publication on the ownership label on the flyleaf.

Nice touch: Neil Diamond piped over the intercom during the morning.  Happy working music, before the library opens.

Public OPACs require a login on startup, and although all branches have public Internet computers, only a couple of libraries offer wi-fi. The State cannot afford it, so branches must fund it out of their own budgets or with Friends’ funds.

Geodetic Marker, Lanikai

Finally, The SPL Underground Librarian mentioned geocaching and USGS markers.  Here’s the marker from Lanikai (Alala) Point, pictured above.  It’s been there almost as long as I’ve been on this earth – used to ride my bike past it several times a week as a kid. Details are on the datasheet.