Our Shared Shelf discussion

Agree! Also a librarian. With advance notice we can make these
titles available to folks!

There are pros and cons I suppose. Let alone the time needed it would remove the surprise, the more people aware of the future books, the higher the leak probability. I must admit I love the surprise whenever a new book is announced and when it's delayed a little bit (few days) the waiting is even better 😋

On the other hands books would be more available. This process would be definitely possible for the older suggestions and it does not require huge work from OSS Team.

I know we all tend to read the new ones (first) but I suppose that we don't need to read the books immediately, I mean there are books I haven't read yet and whenever I'll finish them I'll definitely discuss them.

Maybe we can find a compromise—a way for libraries to get a one-month advance notice or something.

Hi all,

I love the thinking behind this thread. And I love libraries even more! We don't always have advance notice of the book selections, however, maybe it makes me wonder if there's a way we can get access to certain library associations that might agree to some confidentiality, yet be able to start ordering for people?

Let me know your thoughts!

Warmly,
Helen

The secret point is in my opinion the most touchy one here. If confidentiality is not kept it would definitely give a privilege to one part of the community.

What if library that already has every single suggestion made by OSS in its shelf and that did not promote it for now are considered first? Then an attempt (regarding confidentiality) could be made.
I must admit one point worries me, I would be so afraid that the main motivations for some Libraries be fame and maybe profit (for non public Library).

I don't know what you have in mind about confidentiality but for me it means you don't talk about anything even to your loved one. It's kind of restrictive.

Here is an idea:
- a few libraries are selected
- the only information shared with them is the price (book + shipment)
- part of the copies are saved by the publishers to sell them to the selected libraries (just like the give away) regarding their budget
- whenever the book is announced the selected libraries contact the publisher to buy their copies
- a thread gathering the different libraries who have ordered the book is created by a moderator here in the forum

Yes there is delay but I guess we (members) can wait a few days and the confidentially is not a problem anymore. Also do you think it would be good to target (first) Libraries in regions or countries where buying a book (when you are a private individual) is hard.

Hi Amanda,
I'm not sure if you had read Helen's post about how OSS choose a book, but it's worth a read: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Unfortunately, I think it would be virtually impossible for OSS to list the full years worth of books ahead of time. The selection process along with the contacting of the publishers etc etc is a long process.
Once we do decide upon a book, we try and contact libraries as best we can to let them know to stock up if the book is not "mainstream" :)