Any librarians out there?

Parent Cafe
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<p>We live in a very small town, about 600 people that has never had a public library in it’s 100 year history. A small group of us have been working for almost 8 years to bring one to town and not making much headway. We formed a friends group, have done fundraising, we have gotten city council to pass a library ordinance based on state law, people in town have donated books, we even started having weekly story time in the local American Legion Hall, but we have been stymied by a lack of place for the library.</p>

<p>About 3 weeks ago, a building, a PERFECT space opened up at a price we could afford! So we will be trying to get something up and running in about 6 weeks. Yeah!!! Area libraries have volunteered old furnishings, etc. and it looks like we may make it.</p>

<p>My question for you all is this. We have about 5000 books donated by members of the community and we know that only about 20% at best will be usable. We have a group of volunteers (mostly area librarians) who will come help us weed out the books. But we will need to buy a collection that fills holes, hits the highlights, whatever. Do you know of a good company, supplier we could work with to put together a “starter collection” package? We have somewhere in the neighbor hood of $5-7000 to spend right away before we open, and most likely will have more once we are up and running.</p>

<p>Any help greatly appreciated!!</p>

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<p>If I were you, I would contact your state library association to see if they can provide you some guidance in this area. Some major vendors, Ingram, and Baker & Taylor.</p>

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<p>I use follett for all my books. I used B&T for years but have switched. Catalog your books, have a catalog party using librarything.com. It is a great tool!</p>

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<p>Can’t help with any suggestions but just wanted to say that’s a wonderful thing you’re doing. I LOVE my local library. I can’t imagine life without it.</p>

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<p>It is amazing what you are doing! I love libraries. I still can’t get over the fact that my University eliminated its Chemistry Library - not too much use for hard copies of chemical journals in the digital age :(</p>

<p>You can have “friends of the library” rummage sales of the books that you don’t put in the collection to get some funds back for the library.</p>

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<p>Are you in contact with the State Library of Iowa? This is the agency you need most, not the statewide association of librarians in Iowa. (You will want to join the state assoc. as well.) </p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to the State Library of Iowa — State Library of Iowa](<a href=“http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/]Welcome”>http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/)</p>

<p>Each state has a state library with many services to offer to the public libraries in their state. There are consultants that will come to your library to help you. The state library also has negotiated discounts with library suppliers and will offer collection developement help. There are state and federal funds that you may be eligible for. They will also help you with cataloging and circulation procedures. </p>

<p>Since you have some cash raised, you might also consider Half Price Books. I Googled that and there are several in Iowa. There are amazing bargains there, especially in children’s books. Lots of classics and paperbacks–you can build up your collection there if you look regularly. </p>

<p>I started a children’s library at my church and I bought many books there for our collection. I bought my library supplies from Gaylord.</p>

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<p>You should contact this organization and tell them you are a new library and ask for their help.
Reading Is Fundamental
[Welcome</a> to Reading Is Fundamental](<a href=“http://www.rif.org/]Welcome”>http://www.rif.org/)</p>

<p>Many good bibliographies here to assist with building your collection:
[Reading</a> Is Fundamental | Educators | Book Lists](<a href=“http://www.rif.org/educators/books/book_list_index.mspx]Reading”>http://www.rif.org/educators/books/book_list_index.mspx)</p>

<p>I should have mentioned in previous post that I am a former librarian and used to work at a state library during graduate school.</p>

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<p>Also, I don’t know if you have looked to foundations for money, but please do. The Foundation Center’s website may be a good place to start…</p>

<p>I love libraries as well and think that it is just awesome what you are doing.</p>

<p>As to the leftover books, why not have a community book swap or inexpensive book sale?</p>

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<p>I checked with a relative who is a PhD academic librarian. He said: Try EBSCO Book Services (website).</p>

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<p>Thanks for the pointers. Bookiemom we are working with the Iowa state library services coordinator for our area. She is very good, but I am looking for any and all input since we are trying to do a big task in a very little time. In addition, with a 10% across the board budget cut in the State of Iowa, her hands are a little tied right now in that we weren’t really in her budget projections, but she is doing the best she can. (This is a problem everywhere, city hall, county supervisors, etc. they love our project, but a new project in the middle of budget cutting isn’t the best thing to be)</p>

<p>Thanks for the RIF site, I hadn’t really thought about them!</p>