We have observed in several previous posts (see, e.g., our posts of 7 October 2009, 15 October 2009 and 10 November 2009) that we do not believe the constant, often shrill cries from various "authorities" that the book is dead, nor do we believe that book collecting is dead. We firmly believe that it is possible to nurture a new generation of book collectors by beginning at the beginning; by focusing on the most basic concepts of books, book history and book collecting, without neglecting the more advanced and often esoteric concepts; by taking the entire world of books as potential collectibles, not just some small segment that one or more authorities has traditionally asserted are the only books worthy of one's bookshelves.
Regrettably, the folks who really should be undertaking these kinds of initiatives to nurture a new generation of book collectors--i.e., booksellers and traditional book collecting organizations--continue to preach to the converted. A typical example of this shortsightedness is New York City's annual paean to all things bookish, Bibliography Week:
While several of the events scheduled for this week are purportedly "open to the public" (e.g., novice book collectors), almost all are scheduled during the middle of a weekday when most novice book collectors are likely to be working. Nor are the topics covered in the public lectures topics that the novice book collector is likely to be comfortable trying to follow. This is the same sort of shortsightedness that one encounters at major book fairs, where many dealers are loathe to spend much time with a novice book collector unless that collector is prepared to part with big bucks.
We understand that major book fairs are expensive for booksellers and that they need to recoup their costs of setting up at such fairs. We understand that Bibliography Week necessitates lots of planning and lots of expense. But if neither booksellers nor traditional book collecting organizations are willing to make at least an overture to novice book collectors, from whence is the next generation of book collectors to arise...?
Recent Comments