Hmmm. I'd say it's not so simple. I had niche/local/ self/small published authors desperate to be stocked on library shelves. On the other hand, Roth's book has had nationwide publicity (IMHO has high humanitarian value) and only 1 copy is available for loans in the whole LibrariesWest consortium.

An author may request we stock their book, hold a publicity event or a patron can request a title for consideration.
I'm not quite sure what point you are trying to make here though? That those less well off shouldn't have access to books? Educational resources?

Rotten? It would depend on many factors. Publisher/ public lending right agreements/amounts purchased/library consortium size. A large council/consortium may buy several hundred of one title and only a couple of another.

So it's a win-win situation basically.

Authors still get royalties when the library service buys their books as well as promotion by them stocking it. Those who aren't able to afford to buy books have access to a wide range of reading material.

I worked in the library service for 10+ yrs, before being made redundant. So first and foremost I support both authors and local communities by utilising my library. It really is a case of 'use it or lose it' with libraries, and they do far more within the community than just books.

Yep. Past 2 include being violently ill (I'm coeliac - trust no-one)and seizures (Epileptic, stress induced - say no more). And I'm horribly aware that I have it massively easy compared to many. My house is warm, and we manage to pay the bills, I'm luckier than many.

Recently made redundant librarian - which was in no way related to that viral episode with BJ's books. Us librarians have been doing that shit for years. My book displays were bloody legendary.

Lefty. Living on the Jurassic Coast. Still using that ol' bird thing but here to do nice things like post pictures of my poodle. In my spare time I like to hide my parents' copy of the Daily Fail and scandalise them by presenting them with facts.

Yes they do!!

I'll get back to my positive, enthusiastic library position soon I'm sure, but right now feeling pretty deflated. Will have to shift my algorithms around somehow in the meantime!

Thanks to a 'work transformation' by the council we lost over 60 years of experience in our smallish library alone. The whole staff was shoved out by ridiculous new contracts, hours and travel expectations.