ACQNET: RE - Publisher question regarding dust jackets and library practices (1st 6 responses)

From: Eleanor Cook <cookei_at_appstate.edu>
Date: Sun, 08 Jul 2007 15:22:47 -0400
To: acqnet-l_at_listproc.appstate.edu

(1)-------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 16:02:32 -0400
From: Thomas Guignard <thomas.guignard_at_epfl.ch>
Subject: RE - Publisher question regarding dust jackets and library 
practices

I can confirm: all the libraries I know systematically discard dust 
jackets (you can't
stick barcodes and labels on them, as they are not attached to the 
actual book).

What we do at our library (scientific library in Lausanne, Switzerland) 
however:
we keep the dust jackets for as long as the books are displayed on our 
"latest acquisitions"
stands. When we move them to the normal shelves, the dust jacket is 
discarded.

Sorry for that. Good that you should be aware of this practice as a 
publisher, though!

Greetings from Switzerland,
Thomas

(2)-----------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:22:38 -0400
From: Marsha Hamilton (Ohio State U.) <hamilton.8_at_osu.edu>
Subject:  RE - Publisher question regarding dust jackets and library 
practices

We retain book jackets, protected by mylar covers, so patrons can see 
the additional
information the jackets provide.  Jackets also help protect the books.  
We started
retaining jackets about two years ago and it has been a popular decision.

Marsha J. Hamilton
Head, Monographs Dept.
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH 43202-4500 USA
    (614) 247-7461
    hamilton.8_at_osu.edu

(3)-----------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 17:29:44 -0400
From: Roberta Schenewerk (Forth Worth PL)  <rschenew_at_fortworthlibrary.org>
Subject: RE - Publisher question regarding dust jackets and library 
practices

Fort Worth Public Library keeps all dust jackets on new books and 
protects the covers with mylar jackets.  It is considered a problem 
if a dust jacket arrives damaged.  If it can't be fixed we make a color 
copy of the jacket to use.  The dust cover increases the merchandising 
appeal of the books.  Granted, it is time consuming, but we think it 
is well worth it.
 
Roberta Schenewerk
Head of Acquisitions
Fort Worth Public Library
817-871-7718
rschenew_at_fortworthlibrary.org


(4)------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 18:24:10 -0400
From: Debra Thomson (Rhode Island College) <DThomson_at_ric.edu>
Subject: RE - Publisher question regarding dustjackets and library practices

Our academic library always discarded the book jackets until 
about 5 years ago.  I believe that we opted to discard the jackets 
because the process of wrapping the jackets in clear plastic covers 
was delaying the books getting to the shelves and also because of the 
expense of purchasing the plastic covers.  We had student library workers 
doing this task, but when students were not available things could get 
backed up.  So, for many years the jackets were discarded.
 
We have since gone back to keeping the jackets, and putting the clear 
plastic sleeves on them.  The books look more attractive on the shelves, 
and personally, I like the information that the book jacket provides.  
But since I am sending this in response to a publisher's query, I would also 
like the publisher to know that duplicating the book jacket information 
inside the book, particularly the author information, would be quite helpful 
should the jacket have to be discarded for any reason at a later date.  
Library bindings would be great for any title, but we usually only see 
them on children's books.  
 
Debra Thomson
Rhode Island College Library
dthomson_at_ric.edu


(5)-------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:16:21 -0400
From: Allison Mays (Millsaps College) <maysap_at_millsaps.edu>
Subject: RE - Publisher question regarding dustjackets and library practices

First of all, thanks for asking!!

Oh yes, it's true; many libraries do discard the jackets. All that 
marketing and pretty art work down the drain. For many libraries it's 
financial; they have to put Mylar covers on the jackets and somehow 
secure them to the book. It's an added cost, and a labor-intensive task 
many just don't feel is worth it. BUT public libraries do like book jackets. 

Here's the thing: 
People who don't care about them, don't care. People who DO care seem 
to care a lot. For public libraries (I did work at one for a while) they 
make the books more colorful and appealing when they're on the shelf. 
And it is handy to be able to pick up a book you've never heard of and 
be able to get some idea of what's inside.

I've never understood why the information that's in a jacket isn't included 
somehow with the book. If you can come up with a cost-effective way to do it, 
that might work. Not having to use the Mylar covers would be a savings. But I 
can tell you right now, librarians won't be happy if whatever you do drives up 
the price of the book significantly. 

Hope this helps.

Allison Mays
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw
Washington, DC

(6)----------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:33:59 -0400
From: Don Wheeler <dwheeler_at_nybg.org>
Subject: RE - Publisher question regarding dust jackets and library practices

Our library removes the dust jackets.
Prior to 1997 the library would clip the end flaps and file them in a
clippings file.
Since 1997 I have saved the dust jackets, whole. We mark them on the
inside flap with the call number and file them, flat, in archival boxes.
We put a note in the item record indicting that a book jacket is on
file. 

The process is simple and much of the filing is done by volunteers.


Donald Wheeler           
Collection Development Librarian
The LuEsther T. Mertz Library 
The New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd. 
Bronx, New York  10458  USA
tel: (718) 817 8752                  fax: (718) 817 8956
email: dwheeler@nybg.org        http://www.nybg.org



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Received on Sun Jul 08 2007 - 13:43:31 EDT