[Ed. note: Is anyone in academic libraries out there retaining dust
jackets? We do this only for our children's books that go to our
Curriculum Materials Center, browsing copies that are rented, and the
few collector's items we keep]
(1)---------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2001 21:02:52 -0500
From: John Via (Forsyth Co. PL) <viaje_at_forsyth.lib.nc.us>
Subject: RE: Dust jackets on books
After working in academic libraries for years, I am now in a large public
library, where, of course, all dust jackets are kept and protected. The
difference is remarkable. I think it is unfortunate that most academic
libraries ever made the decision to discard the jackets. The policy originated
before the development of stable clear film, I suspect, and never got changed.
(You may have seen the segment on C-SPAN II this weekend on the collector value
of dust jackets on modern first editions. One reason dust jackets are so scarce
is that many, if not most, owners, removed the jackets so that the original
cloth and spine stamping would show on the shelf. Dust jackets were only
considered as selling tools and as protective covering until the book was
ready for the home shelf.)
The negatives of keeping jackets on the books are the cost of materials and
labor (although the process can be greatly simplified if the jobber applies the
covering) and any application of tape to the book in order to secure the
jacket.
The jackets provide information on the authors (often with contemporary photos)
and reveal much about the marketing strategy of the publisher. This is true for
non-fiction as well as fiction. Often the value of this information increases
over time.
I admire any academic librarians who even consider a change to retaining the
dust jackets!
--John Via
Forsyth County Public Library
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Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2001 06:49:48 -0800
From: Jan Tapley (Orange Co. PL) <JHTapley_at_ocpl.org>
Subject: Covering dust jackets
I'm from a large public library, but thought I'd respond. Vendors
like B&T and Ingram will do this for you at a minimal cost. We've been doing
this for years. It's one of the best outsourcing ideas for libraries I've come
across.
Jan Tapley 714-566-3012
Orange Co. Public Library
1501 E. St. Andrew Place
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Received on Sat Feb 17 2001 - 14:21:15 EST