saltysnax
Thirty-something public librarian. Reading across genres with a soft spot for sci-fi.🏳️🌈🇨🇦
2068 points
October 2026
3.77 average · 754 reviews
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Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children
Mac Barnett
"But the didactic impulse's worst failing is an ability to imagine the child as anything other than a thing to be taught."
Reminds me of New Yorker article from years ago in which the author writes that adults continuously fail in imagining a child's role is anything other than to grow.
saltysnax commented...
Librarians DO see these requests and DO make acquisition decisions based on them! Whether or not the acquisition happens will depend on: 1. Number of requests for this item 2. Publication date 3. Cost Biggest factor unsurprisingly will be cost. ebooks cost generally much more than physical copies and usually have a limit on borrowing. A library might pay twice as much for an ebook that is only "allowed" to circulate 1/3 the amount a physical copy would (before getting nasty) before the publisher yoinks the ebook back and makes the library repurchase another license for the item.
When you see the suggest/request button it's likely an item your library HAD an ebook copy of in the past but dont want to repurchase again unless someone or a few someones actually want it.
Hope that helps!
I don't read physical books, so my entire relationship with my library exists through Libby and hoopla. I have a Libby question I'd love to get some insight into.
Whenever I find a book that isn't in my library's collection, there's that option to "Notify Me" if the library obtains a copy. I throw all kinds of books in there so I don't forget they exist, but I'm curious. Do librarians see those and make book acquisition decisions based on them? And if not, is there a better process (especially in app) to request a book for Libby specifically?
I work a schedule that makes it all but impossible for me to go physically to the library, so I've never had the chance to ask. Would love any insights y'all have to share!
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