[Original posting on this topic appeared in COLLDV-L no.
2121 and is reproduced below before the follow-ups.]
Subj: Idiots & Dummies Books
From: marilyn gibney <nfn00237_at_naples.net>
What are your thoughts about the 'Dummies' (ie Word for
Dummies, etc)
and 'Idiots' books as being appropriate for a community
college
collection.
Personally, I was offended when I saw them on the shelf ...
not because
of the titles, and I think they are great books (I have used
many
gaining computer skills) but it seems to me that they don't
impart a
student approach or do not meet the level that a community
college
collection deserves.
What say ye all?
Marilyn Gibney
Independent Librarian
======================
Response #1
From: "P. Fazio" <faziop_at_email.njin.net>
Yes, I purchase books for a community college and I don't
feel it sends a
good message to our students. Many of them are
non-traditional college students and
already feel insecure/inadequate about whether they will
succeed at
the college experience. So I stay away from those titles.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other good books on
computer
topics.... I like the nutshell series, for one.
Patricia Fazio
Collection Development Librarian
Camden County College
=======================
Response #2
From: LIB_JPL <LIB_JPL_at_shsu.edu>
This question can only be answered by knowing more about
your institutional mission, collection goals, and assessment
of the needs of your institutionally-defined user
population. I could justify placing a "Dummies" book in a
computer science collection which serves a ph.d. program if
part of my library's mission were to provide for the
information needs of the staff of the institution. I would
also take into consideration the information needs of
students who may not have yet taken a computer course.
Since you yourself have found the title helpful, can you
compare yourself to the library's users? Are they more (or
less?) sophisticated than you in the particular subject
area?
I would make the distinction between the computer science
degree program and the general informational needs of users
at the acquisition level by charging the title to a
"General" or "Professional" subject fund, rather than the
Computer Science subject fund.
Bottom line - I favor judging each title separately on its
own merits. (And yet, having said all this...I must admit
that I hate the series' names - they are disparaging, to say
the least, but people don't seem to mind, and I've seen
excellent reviews of some of the titles.)
Janice Lange
========================
Response #3
From: Tony Senna <kwdts_at_kentlibrary.lib.mi.us>
The public library system in which I work is ordering more
and more of
these titles, and people do seem to be using them.
BTW, the series "... for Dummies" and "Idiot's Guide to..."
and (just in
case) "The Complete Idiots Guide to..." sometimes even have
the same topic
in all 3 series! (However, I have yet to have someone come
back and say
the Idiots Guide was too much for them so they will need the
Complete
Idiots Guide instead). :-)
Beware, I think a series for morons is next, as on
amazon.com I found "The
Moron's Guide to Buying a Motorbike."
But the real point of my reply is to say that whether buying
for an
academic or public library, you need to be careful when
recommending these
titles. Some people are very sensitive and will take it as
an insult.
Usually I take the person to the shelf and either show them
something next
to it hoping they'll see it themselves, or I make it the 3rd
or 4th item I
recommend.
Have a good adventure,
Tony
Kent District Library Required Disclaimer:
"Opinions given above are personal, and do not reflect
official library policy or statements."
=======================
Response #4
From: DebHole_at_aol.com
I think that any item belongs on the shelf if it meets the
user's needs,
regardless of the title or the stigma you might think is
attached.
Familiarity is also an important factor in determining user
access.Good
luck.
=======================
END
Received on Wed Oct 06 1999 - 09:53:07 EDT