OK here we go... #librarytwitter #RequestingRod (official hashtag) https://twitter.com/JentoInfinity/status/1301182345131819008

I know there have been some other librarians with threads about this, but I'm writing for those of you who aren't librarians or who may not have seen the others threads.

I am not an expert in all things; I am writing this b/c someone asked me for more info #RequestingRod

My expertise: I buy the majority of the adult print materials for a town of less than 10K people but one that is highly educated, fairly progressive, religiously diverse, and while mostly white, more POC have moved here in recent years. #RequestingRod

I have been a librarian for 6 years but have nearly 10 years of library experience. I also worked in publishing for 7 years and before that, bookselling for 2-3 yrs. I know things. I have a good feel for what will sell/circulate.
#RequestingRod

I have biases; we all do. If you think you don't, hahaha. I am VERY careful not to let my personal views/beliefs shade what I buy, but I am sure it's happened. I mean, I think certain fiction genres are terrible, and I know I'm skipping over them more than others. #RequestingRod.

Libraries can't buy every published book. Every library (hopefully) tries to balance their collection: a good sample of the world today & matching patron interest. We do not have the space, the money, the time to catalog/shelve/market all the books. #RequestingRod.

The hardest part of acquiring books is trying to figure out what your patrons will want, what will go out, getting enough titles, not spending too much money.

In my work town, people here LOVE social sciences, politics, biographies, and cookbooks. #RequestingRod

The majority of our nonfiction $ goes towards those parts of the collection, naturally. Of those parts, I only buy biography; colleague buys the rest of them. I buy the area where Rod's book falls (900s, history/travel). Guess what? It didn't appear on my radar. #RequestingRod

I know who he is, I know he writes books. I had heard he was coming out with a new book but didn't know when. The other day when I was asked to talk about why libraries might not buy it, I looked up the pub date, was shocked to see that it comes this month. #RequestingRod.

I had no idea, even though I already ordered NF books for Sept. I ordered my Sept stuff in August. When did RD's book appear? Was it a late drop in? (That happens) BUT it can be one reason why libraries aren't carrying it. Every library has their own set up. #RequestingRod.

Some only order once a month. I order whatever, whenever. Some libraries have limits to how much they can spend per section, or per month. There's no exact science in how everyone orders, but typically, librarians look at what books their patrons will WANT. #RequestingRod

There are NF authors out there that no matter what they write, people will eat it up. Mary Roach is a great example. If I see/hear someone like that is coming out with a book, I throw it in a cart. But my system is usually a little more regimented than that. #RequestingRod

I order for the entire month at once, for each section that I buy (fic, NF, large print, audio, paperbacks). I don't go back to see if there are drop ins. I don't have time. So if your publisher is playing games with your pub date, I might not know about it. #RequestingRod

I rely HEAVILY on reviews published in trade publications/professional journals. These are people who have been vetted for their experience and professionalism in writing book reviews. No one can read every book before they are published to figure out what to buy. #RequestingRod

Publishers & authors WANT someone to read the books beforehand to spread the word! Attention is good! Not every book is reviewed & not every book is SENT OUT for review. Publishers don't have $ to print lots of review copies. #RequestingRod

Sometimes, if a publisher is hesitant about a book doing well or don't want too much flack from those against a book's message, they will hold a book back from being reviewed. This makes a librarian's job harder. I will not buy a book that has not been reviewed. #RequestingRod

Caveat: Except for P@tterson and his ilk b/c my head would be on a stake if I didn't. When I do my orders, I filter the titles that have been reviewed and then again by starred reviews. I want the best of the best for my patrons. #RequestingRod

If I have money after that, I'll look at the regular positive reviews, and then I'll flip through the rest of the month's releases to see if there's anything that didn't filter correctly. It happens. But if something is not reviewed? I am suspicious. #RequestingRod

Especially someone like RD who is a NYT BS author of that other book. Huh, you'd think his publisher would be chomping at the bit to have the next one reviewed? Was it sent out? Did reviewers refuse? I don't know. But it is telling... #RequestingRod

(I'm sure the publisher, being the conservative wing of PRH will say something about a left wing conspiracy and how everyone in the book world is too liberal and is biased against RD. LOLOK

Could be worse, it's not R3gnery.) #RequestingRod

I buy conservative books! I buy H@nnity and the F*x people. I can't not. But I make sure the reviews are decent. I'm not buying garbage just to say that I have both sides represented. I have passed on a LOT of liberal books b/c the reviews were terrible. #RequestingRod

That's enough about the process of regular, pre-publication ordering, so now I'm going to turn to the next part of the problem that RD covered in his tweet. The librarian response to a patron request. Flat out, that response was extremely rude & unprofessional. #RequestingRod

(IF IT IS EVEN TRUE.)

Ahem.

I can't put anything past anyone. Especially when sales of books are involved.

#RequestingRod

Librarians like patron requests. They are HELPFUL. Patrons request things all of the time; most come to me at my library. There are things I have missed! There are things that looked great, reviewed well, but I passed on b/c I didn't think anyone was interested. #RequestingRod

If I get a request for something that looks like it would be interesting to more than that person, is relevant to our library (I'm not buying a genealogical survey looking at the Smith family in 1700s Ohio), and isn't too much money, I will typically buy it. #RequestingRod

The library/items belong to the people in this town, not me. This is something that many librarians forget. Until I live here, I have no right to anything. My job is more like a trustee: I spend their money in the best way I can. #RequestingRod

My library is in a consortium of 30 other libraries. We share almost everything. It's a wonderful thing b/c of that whole space/money/time issue I mentioned 20 tweets ago. I don't technically HAVE to buy everything, especially if the library two towns over has it. #RequestingRod

If I'm hesitant about a request, I will check to see if someone else in the consortium owns it. If no & I'm really unsure, I will check the entire state. Most of the time, I'm like "ehh" and throw it in a cart. Library service is customer service. #RequestingRod

I would NEVER tell someone that their request is ridiculous/stupid/ignorant/whatever. I might *think* that, but I will do my damnedest to make sure I am polite or at least neutral towards their request. MOST in this profession do this. #RequestingRod

Given the author's penchant for stirring up drama & saying controversial things, especially on social media, I wouldn't be surprised if this was an exaggerated story. Or completely fabricated. I have no proof either way. Maybe it's a marketing tactic?? #RequestingRod

The whole "negative publicity is still publicity" thing? Drumming up his fans to revolt against libraries? Who knows?

Stay tuned for some order data...

#RequestingRod

I use Baker & Taylor so I have limited data. The book was only up for pre-order since June. 7 copies were ordered.
July: 14, Aug: 140, so far in Sep: 15. Total: 176.

That's...not a lot of books. (I don't have time to go hunting for comp titles/data sorry!)

#RequestingRod

Sometimes I'll check a book on the Big A for other data. I just looked at RD's new book:
"Best-sellers rank #20,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#22 in Fascism (Books)
#73 in Christian Church History (Books)
#74 in History of Christianity (Books)"

Oh.

#RequestingRod

I'm not touching the F word right now. But the rest is not enough to justify much of a purchase. For libraries or indie booksellers.

Could things changes? Yes. He could go on a tour or have a huge review in the NYT this Sunday. But right now. Meh. #RequestingRod

(Dammit, got this far and had my first typo!)

Wait, I'm gonna touch the F word. If I'm buying a book on that topic, I want it to be scholarly, from someone who has studied it for a long time. OR who has LIVED IT. Not someone like this who has his own biases.

#RequestingRod

Biases towards this topic and a vested interest in continuing his agenda, that is. If he was a political science professor who wrote with a hands-off, fairly neutral approach, fine.

#RequestingRod

OK I think this is enough for now! I know I had a lot of questions as I was tweeting all of this, so I will reply as I am able. Feel free to reach out if you'd like me to elaborate further on anything I've mentioned.

Peace.