Saturday, August 11, 2007

NYPL

Did you know (I didn't until today) that you can look up a book at the New York Public Library website and request they deliver it to the branch nearest you. When it arrives, they call you up!

It's brilliant.
It's free.
It's fun.
It's even better than 311!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Isn't it wonderful? This service made me realize something bigger, too. Recently, I was tracking down more work of a sci-fi (or spec. fic., depending on your take on SF) writer I had just come across. After reserving two of her books, I realized that they were assigned to the collections of libraries in predominantly black neighborhoods. (There were LOTS of reserves, too, lots were waiting to read her. She is of caribbean heritage and aesthetic sensibility.) As my neighborhood has accelerated its gentrification and color-shift, I've been noticing that the offerings in my library seem less, um, various? Assorted? More homogeneous? I'm hoping that by sending her works around the city, the NYPL buys more and puts 'em in other places, too.