[Q| 4) Support your local libraries. Yes, they are run by the government. However, both the government (via laws) and libraries (laws and procedures) have strict guidelines regarding the selection, distribution, and removal of information. (Google: FOIA)
Librarians are avid bibliophiles, and want every book in the library to be used. If you find a deficiency in the collection, talk to the branch librarian. Recommend titles. Donate books. Include reviews from library and publishing journals. (Most libraries use reviews as their primary selection tool.) Let other demographic communities know that the library now stocks books which appeal to their interest (GLBT, graphic novels, loom weaving).
Librarians track circulation figures, and if they see a specific subject (like graphic novels) circulating, they'll be able to show demand, grab some funding, and add more titles to the collection, thus fulfilling the goals of serving the community.
Yes, the books might be challenged by others. However, most libraries have a writtten procedure, and news media will most likely publicize the challenge. At which point, organizations choose which side to favor, public discussions are held, and decisions are made. This causes a reaction, and proactivity ensues as organizations push for change.
I work for Barnes & Noble. I do not speak for them, as they pay good money to professionals who do. The opinions expressed here are my own, and I alone am responsible for them.
Showing posts with label amazonfailure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label amazonfailure. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Amazon Failure
[Q| Reading about the recent #amazonfail (so big, you should Google) controversy, I wonder...
1) Technically, it's only "censorship" if the government is involved. What do we call it when it's perpetrated by a corporation such as Amazon or Wal*Mart, or an organization like the Holy Roman Catholic Church?
2. Generally speaking, I work as a cataloger for Barnes & Noble. We get the same bibliographic data Amazon does (ONIX files based in XML) and we add our subject listings using a basic call-number type approach. We also get summaries from the publisher, but I do not know what our website people add to our very basic "card catalog" data.
If this was a hack attack, could something similar happen to B&N? Possibly, if a keyword filter was used, which doesn't seem to be case at Amazon, since some titles appear under keyword searches.
Might B&N.com add tags? I don't know. There are many "invisible" titles on our website, titles which have no available stock, which are not available via our used book network. They can be found be entering an ISBN or UPC or EAN, but keyword won't find them.
3) In the few websites I've browsed regarding this topic, none have mentioned other large bookstore websites, such as B&N, Borders, or BooksAMillion. When I worked at the store level, customers would frequently say that they wouldn't special order a copy, they would go to Amazon instead. NOT to our website. To Amazon.
4) [to be continued... text buffer limit reached ]
1) Technically, it's only "censorship" if the government is involved. What do we call it when it's perpetrated by a corporation such as Amazon or Wal*Mart, or an organization like the Holy Roman Catholic Church?
2. Generally speaking, I work as a cataloger for Barnes & Noble. We get the same bibliographic data Amazon does (ONIX files based in XML) and we add our subject listings using a basic call-number type approach. We also get summaries from the publisher, but I do not know what our website people add to our very basic "card catalog" data.
If this was a hack attack, could something similar happen to B&N? Possibly, if a keyword filter was used, which doesn't seem to be case at Amazon, since some titles appear under keyword searches.
Might B&N.com add tags? I don't know. There are many "invisible" titles on our website, titles which have no available stock, which are not available via our used book network. They can be found be entering an ISBN or UPC or EAN, but keyword won't find them.
3) In the few websites I've browsed regarding this topic, none have mentioned other large bookstore websites, such as B&N, Borders, or BooksAMillion. When I worked at the store level, customers would frequently say that they wouldn't special order a copy, they would go to Amazon instead. NOT to our website. To Amazon.
4) [to be continued... text buffer limit reached ]
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