I love free books. But ...
I shouldn't complain about getting free books.
But I get mad sometimes.
Publishing companies often send out copies of new books to newsrooms in the hope that we'll write about them.
The ag books tend to end up on my desk.
This morning I got a copy of "Storey's Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle and Pigs."
Woo hoo!
It's actually a pretty cool book if you ever want to learn about rare species of farm animals. Like the Florida Cracker, a heat- and disease-resistant breed of beef cattle that almost became extinct in the 1960's.
Who knew?
The annoying thing is that there is a very slim chance I'll ever write about any of these unsolicited books I get. (Oh, wait ... I just did. I mean write a story, not a blog.)
If a local farmer wrote a book, I'd love to write about it. But I pitch a small hissy fit every time I get a book shipped from God knows where.
These books probably get sent to 500 reporters - at least! Just think of all the wasted fuel! Ahh!
Once, I got so made I wrote a snarky e-mail to a publishing company. I was thanked for my interest. And laughed at by my coworkers.
I save the books on my desk. They will probably end up as a white elephant gift for the newsroom holiday party. Maybe an ag classroom could use them?
Oct 16, 2008 at 2:15 p.m.
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I'm so glad that the library was mentioned! Donated books can be dropped off right at The Ground Floor, Hedberg Public Library's coffee shop that sells used books and unique gift items. All proceeds help support library services.
Then you can head upstairs and find a free book (movie, cd, etc.) that you actually want to spend time with!
Oct 10, 2008 at 2:37 p.m.
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http://www.bookcrossing.com/
Oct 9, 2008 at 7:20 p.m.
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Actually, the books are pretty cool, although some of the titles are funny. "Livestock Guardians: Using Dogs, Donkeys and Llamas to protect your herd."
However, the photos are fantastic in the breed guide I blogged about.
I promise to spread the books in schools and libraries in Janesville and accross my beat! I appreciate the suggestions.
But I will never make a special trip to deliver the books, so it will be fuel-efficient donation.
Ann Marie Ames
Oct 8, 2008 at 7:36 p.m.
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I bet she didn't expect people on this comment page would actually want these books. There is a reader for everybook and the library is good at matching them up.
Oct 8, 2008 at 10:53 a.m.
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Please do offer those books to the FFA classes, or even the 4H extension office. I couldn't think of a better use for them than by youth who are actualy interested in such topics.
Oct 8, 2008 at 9:44 a.m.
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Thats nothing compared to all the credit-card- related and other junk mail.
.
Its hard to imagine, but I've seen lots of SEMI LOADS of identical pieces of junk mail ready to be put in the mail.
.
Oct 8, 2008 at 9:23 a.m.
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Donate to your local library system! -- they can find what libraries don't have a copy. The Storey guides to animal raising are excellent, and I've had to borrow them via interlibrary-loan before.
Oct 8, 2008 at 7:52 a.m.
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Oooohh, Ann Marie, I can add "Storey's Guide to Raising Meat Goats" to your pile if you want. That arrived during my short stint as ag reporter. Try not to be jealous. :)
-Gina Duwe, reporter
Oct 7, 2008 at 10:44 a.m.
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You can donate those books to the library. If the library can't put the books on the shelf, their Friends group can sell the books to raise funds that go straight back to the library.
Win-Win!
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