In response to the article about cost-saving ideas for the library in the Jan. 18 to 24 issue of The Moorestown Sun, I would like to say that I am opposed to the idea
of “closed stacks” as a way of saving money. I have found many interesting and useful things that I wasn’t looking for just by browsing.
For instance, when a specific book on Chinese cooking was, out I noted its Dewey Decimal number, went to that area and found other books on the subject without knowing their titles or authors.
I know I can find “Chinese cooking” (17 hits, but “Chinese cookbooks” gives an error message!) with a keyword search, at home or at the library, but I can’t see the table of contents, index or a few recipes.
Does the book have pictures, etc.?
I browse movies, books (non-fiction, fiction, new, CD/tape, children’s) and magazines regularly and find new things I enjoy all the time.
Some other ways of saving/making money might be slight increases in late fees and Friends of the Library memberships. Make a list of specific books, magazine subscriptions, audio and video CDs, other things the library needs, noting their costs, and ask people to donate the funds to purchase them. With brainstorming, I’m sure there are many ways to save/raise money preferable to “closing stacks.”
Louisa W. Khanlian
