The pocket circulating library

I think I get it. I know, I'm probably the last blogger of the biblioblogosphere to talk about e-readers, but I think I just got it.

Obviously, I love books as things. The physical artifact. Paper, ink, boards, cloth, leather, all of it. I have not really understood the fascination with e-books. Until now. They seem pretty unsatisfactory, by and large, but are improving. I'll also admit I have an ereader app or few on my iphone. I use Stanza for books from Project Gutenberg (30K+ titles for free!) and MegaReader for access to books from Archive.org (Over a million, all free!).

I've used it to read in line at the Post Office, etc., and occasionally for reading in bed when I've not planned well and my TBR pile has shrunk too low to suit whatever reading mood I'm in. I do not use it for my primary reading source, nor do I ever expect it to.

Enter a fantastic book I read this past week: A Book For a Sixpence by David Kaser. Kaser examines the history of subscription libraries in the US. This was part of the Beta Phi Mu chapbook series, which is a must-have for students of the history of the book. This is not exhaustive, nor does he make any claims of it being so. There were many places in Kaser's study that prompted me to ask questions that no one has yet found answers to (I think). There is also a very good bibliography, index and a couple appendices listing known American circulating libraries before 1900. After a very cursory search through my limited records, I only found a few not listed in this 30 year old work, but I imagine records for such would be elusive at best, but searchability will improve as more institutional collections migrate online.

Reading this book made the light come on. E-readers are the new circulating libraries! Sure, you get to keep the "book" longer, but you don't own it. Your subscription fee is the price of the hardware reader, then you pay for access to the text, not for the book itself.

You never own the text on an e-reader. Except when they're free, then no one seems to really care. But you still don't own it.

In this context, e-readers make more sense. When I try to equate buying an "e-book" (an ugly chimera of a word!) with buying a book -- it doesn't come together in my mind. It doesn't add up. I "buy" an "e-book" and I have no or very limited lending rights, right of first sale is out the window, etc. However, when I consider using an e-reader as a 21st Century subscription library that merely grants access to works, it suddenly makes a lot more sense.

I know most of you have not struggled with this, nor have you sought any kind of justification for buying an e-reader or using one. I think however, I've finally found mine.


kindle, ipad, i-pad, nook, sony, comparison, history, amazon, subscription library, private library, rental library, membership library,

WARNING: I own books

Warning bookplate
Originally uploaded by Exile Bibliophile

A brilliant new article from Yale Alumni Magazine explores book ownership through bookplates. Includes a wonderful gallery of plates from their collections, including a new favorite which I share with you. Read article here:
http://yalealumnimagazine.com/issues/2010_03/bookplates4249.html

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Bibliophiles of OK Nov/Dec. Meeting

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It's been a while since I've posted an update on the Bibliophiles of Oklahoma. This is a collectors' group myself and a few other hearty souls have started. We meet monthly for informal meetings and some light-hearted bibliobanter. New people are always welcome. Our average number per meeting is staying pretty constant at 4-6, but the faces change frequently. Still hoping to get the numbers up. A more focused campaign next year may yield results. We'll see.

As Nov. and Dec. have big holidays at the end of the month, we'll go ahead and do a combined Nov/Dec. meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4th at Belle Isle Brewery. We typically have a table reserved for us under the name Washington Irving.

On the agenda this month:
Show and Tell:
Approve donation of Washington Irving volume to Emily Dickinson personal library project: Replinish the Shelves.


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PS, Christopher Morley is still my Hero

How could I forget the best part?! I was sure I loaded the photo of the interior of this marvel, but I guess I didn't. Here it is: The Interior of the Book Detektive (complete with pencil and foil label).

Enjoy!

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Christopher Morley is my Hero

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There. I've said it. Hold it against me if you wish, but I can't change. I won't. Christopher Morley is one of my heroes. Not only for the Parnassus on Wheels and Haunted Bookshop, which are fantastic, nor merely for his insight into the return of a book. I keep thinking if I could get it small enough, it would make a fine bookplate. With a tasteful border, of course.

" I give hearty and humble thanks for the safe return of this book, which having endured the perils of my friend's bookcase and the bookcases of my friend's friends, now returns to me in reasonably good condition. I give my hearty and humble thanks that my friend did not see fit to give this book to his infant for a plaything, nor use it as an ash tray for his burning cigar, nor as a teething-ring for his mastiff. When I loaned this book, I deemed it as lost; I was resigned to the business of a long parting; I never thought to look upon its pages again. But now that my book has come back to me, I rejoice and am exceedingly glad! Bring hither the fatted morocco and let us rebind the volume and set it on the shelf of honor, for this my book was lent and it is returned again. Presently, therefore, I may return some of the books I myself have borrowed."

I truly admire the man for projects like The Book Detektive. The Book Detektive is a book shaped kit that could sit camouflaged in your bookcase and spring into action if a book were to be swept away in the moment of fool-hardy good hostmanship. That may not be a word. This is something I've had to learn how to deal with. I for one make it a point to say good-bye to books I "lend". In my experience (like Morley's), I *know* book borrowers have good intentions. Often have good intentions. Ok, it's rare... and they are deluding themselves. To the point, I've never seen one of these little kits until one crossed the counter at ebay. Well, the opening bid was somewhere around $70.00. If it had included more than one foil Book Detektive label, I would have faltered and bid to my ruin. However, I couldn't chase it past its closing price of $153 and change. Heartbroken, I browsed the venerable Bookfinder.com for a consolation copy. There seem to be two listed online. Both over $100. Only one lists the contents, and it doesn't sound as complete as the one on ebay.

Now I'll have to start that Morley collection, or start a collection of book reclamation systems. I wonder if there are others? Maybe I should market my own... Hmmm... THE EXILE BIBLIOPHILE PRESENTS....


The text of the auction for your benefit:.

THE BOOK DETEKTIVE A satirical item poking fun a people who borrow books and don’t return them!
Planned by Beach Cooke
With an admonition from Christopher Morley
Published by William Morrow & Co, NY copyright 1938. First Edition, 1st Printing.

Book shaped, folding box in a paper dust jacket with red and black decorations and titles. The box is made of hard cardboard with a pebbled finish. The box size is 6 by 7 inches. Advertised as "A trusty one-volume book police force that will pay for itself over and over again in a few months". An unusual publication indeed. Consists of a multiple folding box with pockets for various items to help track and secure the return of loaned books.

Contains:
1) an 8 page booklet "The Little Black Book" with "a most important admonition by Christopher Morley being the hitherto unpublished transcript of the Criminal Trial of Pandowdy V. Librovore";
2) A card "Confidential Instructions for using The Book Detektive";
3) A card on "luring your books back diplomatically";
4) Cards for recording loaned books (3 red & 3 green);
5) Cards with sample letters to entice borrowers to return books (11 different);
6) bookmarks (22) with Christopher Morley quote.
7) one unused pencil
8) one unused foil ‘The Book Detektive’ Book Plate (label)

Condition: The box is in Near Fine condition in a Good dust jacket. The book covers are bright and clean; with only slight edge wear. The binding is tight, one of the foldable hinges beginning to crack all others hinges are firm with no cracks. The inside items above are in like new condition. There is a neat bookstore stamp on the front cover. There are no names, markings, tears or folds. The dust jacket is bright and clean with edge wear and small closed tears.