I've been toying around with this idea for awhile. I know it seems totally impractical and a waste of most people's time, but I like the idea of giving books more mileage and getting them into the hands of as many of our interested readers as possible.
I have an ever growing pile of duplicate books that I have been thinking of selling or donating. My local used book store, which was a treasure of my community for 45 years, recently shut its doors this month for good, so my plan to bring them there is out the window.
So, what if we had a book loan program here at Grogheads? You could borrow a book from our online repository and Grogheads would coordinate with the actual owner to get the book delivered to the borrower. Books could be "checked-out" for 30, 45, 60 days at a time, or renewed...whatever, we can make the rules if this goes official. There are a few details that we'll need to work out, like who pays the price of shipping? My preference would be for Grogheads to cover shipping costs, but then we would require donations and a library fund and that could get complicated/burdensome for me and Gus. Additionally, it is always possible that someone who checks-out a book might never return it. It would be nice to be able to compel compensation, but that is unlikely so obviously there is always that risk of loss.
In any event, it seem like a really fun idea, although not the most practical.
Thoughts?
I love books and am always on board to get books that people want out to them, even if its not the most practical thing. We would need a 'library manager' who we could trust with funds.
I think this is a great idea.
Where would the books be physically stored if one wanted to donate to the library?
Maybe people could post a list of books that they're prepared to part with permanently - like the ones you were going to donate JH - that way you don't have to worry about people keeping supposed loans. There would still be shipping costs, but people could sort that out amongst themselves - perhaps swap books so each pays the shipping.
Quote from: W8taminute on September 20, 2021, 10:39:59 AM
I think this is a great idea.
Where would the books be physically stored if one wanted to donate to the library?
I think the owner, at least initially, would keep the book. I'd create a list of books that are available for borrowing and then if someone wants to check it out, I would coordinate shipping with the owner. After that, I suppose it would be up to the owner whether the book would be returned to them, or if they preferred that it go to our Grogheads librarian for keeping until someone else is interested in reading it.
Quote from: Father Ted on September 20, 2021, 11:00:49 AM
Maybe people could post a list of books that they're prepared to part with permanently - like the ones you were going to donate JH - that way you don't have to worry about people keeping supposed loans. There would still be shipping costs, but people could sort that out amongst themselves - perhaps swap books so each pays the shipping.
Book donations and giveaways is also a great idea, but the point is to definitely have them retained and maintained as part of an online inventory so others could spend time with them, as well.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 20, 2021, 11:12:38 AM
Quote from: W8taminute on September 20, 2021, 10:39:59 AM
I think this is a great idea.
Where would the books be physically stored if one wanted to donate to the library?
I think the owner, at least initially, would keep the book. I'd create a list of books that are available for borrowing and then if someone wants to check it out, I would coordinate shipping with the owner. After that, I suppose it would be up to the owner whether the book would be returned to them, or if they preferred that it go to our Grogheads librarian for keeping until someone else is interested in reading it.
Makes sense. There are some books that if for some reason went missing after someone borrowed it would not upset me at all. The books that I have that I would share on the library that I definitely would not want to get lost would be the challenge I suppose.
So for me at least:
1. I would not get upset if books I donated got lost although for general library inventory purposes it would still be upsetting to someone.
2. Books that I would be willing to share on the library but would be upset if lost or damaged is another matter that I would have to think about.
Quote from: W8taminute on September 20, 2021, 12:55:37 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 20, 2021, 11:12:38 AM
Quote from: W8taminute on September 20, 2021, 10:39:59 AM
I think this is a great idea.
Where would the books be physically stored if one wanted to donate to the library?
I think the owner, at least initially, would keep the book. I'd create a list of books that are available for borrowing and then if someone wants to check it out, I would coordinate shipping with the owner. After that, I suppose it would be up to the owner whether the book would be returned to them, or if they preferred that it go to our Grogheads librarian for keeping until someone else is interested in reading it.
Makes sense. There are some books that if for some reason went missing after someone borrowed it would not upset me at all. The books that I have that I would share on the library that I definitely would not want to get lost would be the challenge I suppose.
So for me at least:
1. I would not get upset if books I donated got lost although for general library inventory purposes it would still be upsetting to someone.
2. Books that I would be willing to share on the library but would be upset if lost or damaged is another matter that I would have to think about.
I would say if it is a book you would not be willing to part with, you should not add it to our library. That is really the only way to avoid any problem there. It will obviously limit the titles we have available, but that's ok.
Interesting idea.
Can imagine a Grogs bookmobile would be a BMP painted up nice.
I really like this idea, especially because local used bookstores tend not to buy niche military history stuff. I have a pile of Beevor books I'm unlikely to get around to that I'd love to see get a proper home.
Willing to hit up a nearby antique store where I'm sorta sure there are more than a few, nice hardback books detailing Naval stuff still there. Be glad to donate them to the Grog Book Nook.
More than 95% of my library is on a Kindle ...
Quote from: Pete Dero on September 21, 2021, 05:18:48 AM
More than 95% of my library is on a Kindle ...
Personally, I despise the concept. Nothing beats the look and feel of a real book and it is one of the few pleasures in my life that will never go digital. My book collection in my home office gives me great pride and joy.
I have maybe 2% of my library on a Kindle. A real book is far superior. Sales of digital readers are actually down in the last few years if you can believe that, and sales of traditional books up. Strange but true.
I find after staring a computer screen at work all day the last thing I want to do is read an online book.
Now if you say, "Yeah but W8t I bet you play PC games no problem after work right?", I'll say and your point is? ;D
^It's like you live inside my head with the other voices.
^LOL
We happy grog gamers all think alike I guess hence we all hear the same voices?
Was down in my basement earlier looking for my old PC mic and found tpns of old hardbound editions of Military History Quarterly that would go perfectly in this Grog Library. Grogbrary?
Not a bad idea, only problem is the cost of shipping books these days. Plus, another thing, libraries don't want any more books even great collections, I asked, nope no room !
Quote from: demjansk1942 on September 22, 2021, 03:19:30 AM
Not a bad idea, only problem is the cost of shipping books these days.
That is why most of my books are in a Kindle format.
There aren't many real bookshops around and they don't have a large international selection. And there aren't many books available in Dutch for the topics that I prefer.
A few years ago I ordered some books in the UK (before Brexit) and I paid as much for the books as for the shipping.
Things have improved with a local Amazon webshop (and no shipping if you are a prime member) but that doesn't really count as a real book store.
The death of brick and mortar book shops is one of the great commercial travesties of our time. As I said in the OP, my local shop, the Book Revue, closed this month after over 45 years in business...a sad victim to the pandemic and a landlord who wanted to evict in order to built apartments and more parking.
Just about the only thing we have left is Barnes & Nobles. They have a nice selection, but none of the old books that you will find through serendipity in a used book store, where you never know what treasures you will find.
In any event, I will never get rid of my book collection and I am willing to pay some extra money for shipping in order to spread the joy of having the real thing. I do recognize that the costs abroad may be prohibitively expensive and unjustifiable for some.
There is nothing ideal or convenient about this idea. But, if receiving a book, even if it is just for a few months, can bring happiness, distraction, and interest or wonder into the lives of a grog, I'm willing to go out of my way (and my pocket) to make it happen.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 22, 2021, 08:55:51 AM
The death of brick and mortar book shops is one of the great commercial travesties of our time.
Amen. Dating myself here, but I spent many, many hours in my mall's Waldenbooks and B. Dalton.
The last couple of posts are making me shed camo-tinged Grogtears.
One of my dreams is to open my own book shop when I retire.
Quote from: Dammit Carl! on September 22, 2021, 09:22:18 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 22, 2021, 08:55:51 AM
The death of brick and mortar book shops is one of the great commercial travesties of our time.
Amen. Dating myself here, but I spent many, many hours in my mall's Waldenbooks and B. Dalton.
I worked in B. Dalton. It was one of my first "real" jobs when I was in high school. I used to hang out in the military history section and wait for someone to start browsing. I'd then strike up a conversation and we would sometimes talk for hours. Eventually, it started annoying my boss and he tried to get me to move on, but I never stopped. I would still do that today and work in a book store, if I could get away with it.
I've got a bunch of old books I'd just be willing to donate. My local library doesn't want them so I've actually given some to local RV Parks. During the winter months the Snowbirds come down and most parks have very small libraries at their Club Houses. Two concerns, a lot of my books are pretty old and maybe out of date in their historical accuracy and cost of shipping. Thoughts and or opinions anyone?
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 22, 2021, 10:19:57 AM
I worked in B. Dalton. It was one of my first "real" jobs when I was in high school. I used to hang out in the military history section and wait for someone to start browsing. I'd then strike up a conversation and we would sometimes talk for hours. Eventually, it started annoying my boss and he tried to get me to move on, but I never stopped. I would still do that today and work in a book store, if I could get away with it.
If near an Army base, could always work for AAFES and be that weird guy hovering near the books in Clothing & Sales or the PX!
-if possible, I'd always stop by Ft. Jackson and go to the Shopette / Mini Clothing & Sales place near the trainee barracks just so I could see & hear Drill Sergeants scream at pie-eyed Privates who scuttle around like roaches while clutching whatever it was they were keen on getting. Funny shit when it ain't you as the Private.