Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:45:21 -0700
To: COLLDV-L_at_usc.edu
From: Kevin Wade Merriman <kmerriman_at_mcneese.edu> While I don't have policies or research to support it, I can add anecdotal support to your decision to purchase paperbacks. My predecessor at our library was big on paperback books... they are cheaper and they take less linear shelf space. We have had no problems to distinguish octovo trade materials as inferior to cloth books. However, larger quatro paper bound books with glued bindings don't hold up well, sometimes not even to the first reading... Paper-bound art books with sewn bindings, however, do very well. But, mass-market paperbacks I leave for students to buy on their own. If money is the primary concern, another alternative is to purchase used books. Often, when replacing materials, I shop at Alibris to get cloth bindings for the price of a paperback or cheaper. Often, this happens when a paperback has been overused but the title merits replacement... many of the classics, for example. Kind regards, Kevin Merriman McNeese Seal Collection Management Librarian McNeese State University Library P. O. Box 91445 Lake Charles, LA 70609 <mailto:kmerriman_at_mcneese.edu>kmerriman_at_mcneese.edu Phone: 337 475-5724 Fax: 337 475-5719
