Hunting for an interesting story between the trickers and the treaters, I came across this blurb on how one beer brewers club has advanced the great cause of great beer:
One of the main reasons the Portland system has such a vast collection is because Fred Eckhardt, the dean of American beer writers, lives here. (His classic "The Essentials of Beer Style" is one of his six titles available, but as with most beer books his are in heavy demand and have a waiting list).What a great idea. If everyone who read this here blog in one month just donated one hundred books each to their local library...that would be a 2.5 million beer books in the hands of the unsuspecting worldwide - not to mention a huge boon to the publishing industry.Eight years ago the Oregon Brew Crew, a conspiracy of home brewers, microbrewers and beer lovers, donated funds for the library’s beer book collection in recognition of Fred. Recently the OBC voted to donate $400 to expand the library’s collection of beer books, again in Fred’s honor, this time for his 80th birthday.
Don't worry. Start small. Give one.
Comments
Libarbarian - November 1, 2007 12:58 PM
Great idea Alan! Most libraries have some sort of program that facilitates donations for books (we have the Lois Hole Legacy program and Adopt-a-Book here). Many also have Adopt-a-Magazine programs as well, where sponsoring a magazine gets the individual or the club's name and contact info on the cover of the magazine (eg. All About Beer: Sponsored by Oregon Brew Crew).
But the secret is this: the money is nice, but any public library these days really, really wants to hear from their users or possible users. Don't see that book by Dogfish Head brewing guru Sam Calagione at your local library? Think it is too specialized, too obscure? Think again! Put in a request for the book and I guarantee most libraries will buy it for the collection.