When I’m at the library, I browse. Sometimes I’m looking for a specific book, but I always take time to browse. I find many lesser known gems. At the previous three public libraries I’ve used, the selection has been satisfying. Unfortunately, my current library system has opted to spread out the wealth. The county library system has a staggering number of branches. I never feel that one library’s selections is enough. Invariably when I search through the catalog for something I want, the books I seek are scattered about in various branches, with little overlap. I can request a book from any branch, of course, which is convenient. But I despair at the reduced quantity for browsing at any one branch. Selfishly, I’d rather have more of the books together in one place.
This article from the Twin Cities examines those books that are left to wait on the shelf, the “shelf sitters” and long forgotten best-sellers. The St. Paul library system has 6,425 mystery novels stored in the lower level of one branch — but it’s not open to the public! Oh, the misery! (via Romenesko)