Hi all -

Pursuant to the past discussion about the eradication of “new books” shelves in libraries in favor of online lists, this came in an email from my library’s access services head:

“After complaints from readers and a conversation with the Chair of the Library Board, we have put in place a consolidated Selected New Acquisitions display in the Current Periodicals Reading Room. This physical display of selected new books is meant to complement the New Acquisitions web page.”

And so: new books, regardless of subject, are now displayed in a single location, whereas they used to be displayed on the relevant floors of the library. Meaning, they’re still essentially invisible. The books remain there for one calendar week.

This is food for thought when it comes to assumptions about how our patron-base – and our boards – will respond to certain initiatives. Even if we can’t survey the patrons about every issue, and even if we can’t run every decision past our board members, I think this is an interesting example of those two powerful groups speaking up for something important to them and making us accountable.

Thoughts?

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