Mar

13

Some People Read The Articles.

Posted by Christopher Waldrop

March 13, 2007 |

Believe it or not some libraries subscribe to Sports Illustrated. This year, however, they’ve been seeing an interesting trend: they’re not getting copies of the annual swimsuit issue. Since it’s an issue that’s part of the regular subscription there’s no reason why subscribers–regardless of whether they’re individuals or libraries–shouldn’t get it. Calls to customer service representatives have resulted in several different answers. The answers include:

-Someone at the library called and asked that the issue not be sent.

-The issue is sold out, but the library’s subscription will be extended by two issues because of the inconvenience.

-There have been numerous complaints from public libraries, doctor’s offices, and other public or semi-public places that subscribe to Sports Illustrated about the appropriateness of the swimsuit issue.

-Time Warner, Inc. has simply made a decision this year that the swimsuit issue will not be included in any library subscriptions.

No one called from any library to request that the issue not be sent, and as for it being sold out, Time Warner, Inc., or any other publisher for that matter, should always print enough copies for subscribers. Occasionally small publishers run out of issues, and they do get lost in the mail, but we’re not talking about a small university-funded press.

And some may question the appropriateness of putting the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated on display in a public library, but this policy apparently extends to all libraries regardless of whether they’re public or part of a private institution. Libraries have varying policies on access to material as well, sometimes restricting patron use of some things, but two of a library’s main functions–access and archive–are being disrupted by Time Warner, Inc.’s decision about what’s appropriate and what isn’t for libraries. At least they claim that’s what they’re basing it on, but maybe they really just want people to go out and buy the issue. And that raises another ominous specter: what if libraries order, and pay for, other magazine subscriptions, or even best-selling books, but publishers decide not to supply them because they’re “inappropriate”? Most librarians know what they’re getting when they order something. If the publisher chooses to to publish something it’s the librarian’s decision as to whether it’s appropriate or not.


Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. Little Miss Know it All on March 13, 2007 11:22 am

    Completely off subject here…but why isn’t Freethinkers Anonymous in your blogroll? Should be! If you don’t put it in yours, I’ll put it in mine!

  2. John on March 13, 2007 1:08 pm

    More importantly why doesn’t the library subscribe to Maxim? I think there are some art and fashion students…and yeah, fraternity brothers who are getting left out.

  3. Christopher Waldrop on March 13, 2007 3:25 pm

    If fraternity brothers really want Maxim they can subscribe to it, but some librarians have made the point that classes and researchers in fashion, sociology, pop culture, psychology, and even business use the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated. Seriously it’s all about the money. Time Warner, Inc. doesn’t want anyone to go to the library and browse the issue instead of buying it.

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