Norman Oder

After Cataloging Delay (and Some Questions), NYPL Puts Exposé of Museum on the Shelves

So, did the New York Public Library (NYPL) face pressure not to purchase Michael Gross’s new book Rogues’ Gallery, an unauthorized exposé of the Metropolitan Museum? 

The New York Observer on June 16 questioned whether the absence of the book in the catalog was related to complaints against the book filed by Annette de la Renta, who is a trustee of both the museum and the library.

The book’s editor, Peter Gethers, told the newspaper the library had ordered copies of the book, which should have been filled by the third week in May: “It makes no sense that the library isn’t carrying the book.”

Library officials had no comment to the Observer, which noted that the Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Library had multiple copies in their catalogs. However, a librarian commenting on the Observer site suggested the explanation was most likely not censorship but a cataloging backlog. 

Now at NYPL
When LJ checked the NYPL catalog yesterday, the Gross’s book was in fact in the catalog—51 copies with 67 holds, far more interest than in the Queens and Brooklyn systems. Nearly all copies are leased.

When queried, NYPL spokesman Herb Scher explained, “In anticipation of City budget cuts, the Library had a budget freeze in place for new materials. Moving into the new fiscal year and in view of City budget restorations we are able to move forward on pending orders, including this title. For popular adult titles we will be relying more frequently on a leased program, which is more cost-effective.”

"I want to also stress that we received no request or pressure not to order this book,” Scher added. “It was treated like any other book, and had we not had a budget freeze in place it would have appeared in our system earlier.”

Yes, his explanation is plausible. Then again, the other two library systems have faced similar budget pressures. In this case, at least, they’ve operated more efficiently.

Posted by Norman Oder on June 30, 2009 | Comments (3)