Slog - Comments on Daddy's Roommate Is Moving Into Wasilla

Comment by um

um — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:12:15 -0800

i actually know him, good job and all, but no thanks.

Comment by gay dad

gay dad — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:18:00 -0800

I am definitely going to look for them on my next visit to Wasilla. Thanks Mike!

Comment by David

David — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:23:31 -0800

That's cute, but donated books don't go on library shelves. They go straight into the library's annual used book sale.

And ask Eli to tell you a little more about Michael Petrelis before any love is fallen into.

Comment by RonK, Seattle

RonK, Seattle — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:30:26 -0800

"Heather" remained on the shelves throughout the Palin years (despite one citizen challenge).

There is no reported instance in which Mayor Palin inquired about banning "certain" books.

Comment by Gloria

Gloria — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:32:41 -0800

@3: I'm curious; why do donated books just get sold instead of going on the shelves?

Comment by Gloria

Gloria — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:33:53 -0800

Well, I mean, outside of just being in poor condition or outdated or unneeded. Is it a blanket policy?

Comment by Hernandez

Hernandez — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:37:32 -0800

He files FOIA requests for a living? Sounds like a sweet gig.

Comment by scary tyler moore

scary tyler moore — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:40:04 -0800

http://whatisaids.com/highleymanbar122001.htm

yuck.

Comment by MPetrelis

MPetrelis — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:20:14 -0800

Hi Paul,

Thanks so much for noticing my gay books' donation was written up in the Wasilla paper, and spreading some love my way. I hope your readers will also check out my blog today, and read about the new HIV/STD stats for SF from out DPH. Keeping my fingers crossed "Daddy" and "Heather" make it to the shelves in Wasilla's library. Link to my blog:
http://slog.thestranger.com/

Comment by scary tyler moore

scary tyler moore — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:31:52 -0800

ooh! do you google yourself every five minutes, mr. petrelis?

Comment by bubbles

bubbles — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:28:47 -0800

How can I make a living writing freedom of information requests?

Comment by Librariana

Librariana — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:12:15 -0800

Gloria, in response to your question about why donations go the library booksale and not on the shelves, the answer is simply economic -- it costs much more (in terms of staff time & hours) to process and catalog donated books than it does to receive and process books through an automated, standardized collection development procedure (which is how most public libraries build their collections these days). However, donated paperbacks in good condition do sometimes show up on the shelves as "uncataloged paperbacks" -- these books can be borrowed on the honor system.

If Petrelis really wants to get those books in the library, he should try to convince a number of Wasilla residents to file "suggestion for purchase" forms for those books at their local library. There's no guarrantee they'll be added, but popular demand definitely influences a lot of public library collection development decisions these days. . .

Comment by D$

D$ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:21:59 -0800

Great idea, lame taste in books. While Daddy's Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies are classics, they're not the kind of classics that have aged well. Why not send some higher quality (and less didactic, message-y) books like King & King or And Tango Makes Three? The Duke Who Outlawed Jelly Beans and Todd Parr's Family Book are also pretty good.