In Libraries, Classics Must Come First

The primary purpose of a library should be to stock and maintain books for the community. Particularly books of a classic nature, those that are too expensive or specialized for the average taxpayer to buy and keep in their own collection.

After this is accomplished, and only then, if there is extra money, then the library can buy pulp fiction books, video movies and music tapes.

I have lived in Fullerton for 42 years and know that our new and “improved” library today has removed many of the classic nonfiction and reference books that used to be readily available on the shelves of our “old” library. Some have been salvaged by the Cal State Fullerton Library. However, access to this library is very difficult and inconvenient for nonstudents.

These classic nonfiction and reference books were replaced with trashy fiction books, trendy how-to books, and educationally worthless video movie tapes.

The following is one frustrating example: I searched our Fullerton library nonfiction book files for a certain book, which I had checked out years before. Puzzled that I couldn’t locate it, I asked the librarian for help. She informed me that it was considered old and obsolete and had been scrapped.

With the help of my computer and modem, I found that Cal State Fullerton had the book. Because of the parking and access difficulties associated with using their library, I went back to our local library to check it out on the inter-library loan system.

The librarian asked me how much I was willing to pay for the loan of the book. This sounded peculiar to me (not a simple fixed fee for handling, e.g. $.50 or $1) so I asked her what she meant. She said that the loan charge could vary, from nothing up to $8 or $12. I said that I probably could buy it in a used book store for that price, if I could locate it. She told me that the reason the fee was so costly was that it was out of print, and very valuable. I then asked her if it was so valuable, why did our library scrap it off our shelves? She didn’t answer me.

Notwithstanding other failings, I would like to say that our local Fullerton library has consistently done a tremendous job in preserving local history.

I don’t think libraries should receive additional funding until they learn (or remember) the classical technique for prioritizing their books and materials.