"Just Go To Your Local Library"

My local library has 6 volumes of the 2016 Scott catalogue and all
can be checked out.
Up until a few years ago the newest versions would be only
available for reference and the older volumes could be
checked out.
Now the current years volumes are available for check out.

The previous years are discarded when the new ones are
made available to the public.
Well I tried year after year to get at least one
of the older volumes without any success,
always being told that they were on the
discard shelf.

Finally I had enough and I complained to the
head of the library board that it seems odd that
in the last 20 years I never saw any volume
on the discard shelf even though I would check
the library frequently when I knew Scott was issuing
a new volume.
And how many people are in my town who know
about stamps or are collectors.
Most of the volumes are in very good condition
and sparingly used.
I hinted that maybe someone got inside info
as to when these catalogues were placed
on the discard shelf.
Also I told him I intended to contact
my local Councillor about this.


Lo and behold a few days later I got a call
from the library saying the 2013 Scott Volume 5 has
been discarded and is waiting for me to be picked up.

So I went to the library and "donated" $5 and got my
Scott Volume 5
The librarian said " My that is generous of you,
most people leave maybe 25c "
I told her that these catalogues cost the library $100
( money coming from my exorbitant property taxes)
and I wonder if someone gets these volumes for 25c and then
puts them on ebay for $40.

I might add that it's the same with the
Unitrade Catalogue.
When the new Unitrade is on the shelf the
old one is gone and good luck trying to find
one on the discard shelf.

I have had better luck with Linn's Stamp News
which are usually discarded after one year
and I have picked up a couple of issues.

My library branch in a fairly small city (100K) has the latest copy of Scotts in Reference and the previous year in general circulation. If your system does not carry Scotts, speaking as a former librarian, I would suggest making a request. Public libraries are always under budget constraints, but usually will try to accommodate suggestions if they can. If no one shows interest, they spend the money on other items. (Some libraries also monitor what is being checked out as a factor in acquisitions decisions, so if previous sets of Scott, Gibbons, et al just sit on the shelf, then purchasing the latest version is hard to justify.)

"The library that serves Manhattan & The Bronx is the NYPL; I am 'out' in Queens".

S am I, but I prefer the Manhattan libraries.

Ikey, the Brooklyn library near Grand Army Plaza must have Scott catalogs. Well, maybe not must, but I'd be shocked if they don't.

The online catalog results may not be shocking, but they sure are disappointing.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

My library does have a full Scott Catalog from 2009 but you can't check it out. I just copy any pages I need. The closest stamp club is about an hour away. Headed there for the first time next week.

IkeyPikey I sent you an email.

One thing you can do also is request that the library get some copy's. I know at my local library they are always looking for stuff that interests their clients. With all the different branches also they can probably move a set from one branch to another on request. That is if they are available at the other branch.

I know if I can find older ones in my library's sale area I can get them pretty cheap. I also know you can get older copy's through better world books for 3 to 5 buck including shipping.

Presumably you have an inter-library loan system in the US and Canada, as in the UK. This used to be free here, but now carries a charge (indeed, the charge may be more of an encouragement to buy via Abebooks or ebay than to borrow).

My local library has a complete set of Scott's current year catalogs in the reference section for on-site use. There are sets of the two previous years editions in the circulating collection.

I would rate access to Scott's excellent here in central Oklahoma.

Don

I don't think the library in our small town have catalogue, but in the same building twice a month a philatelic club host their activities and they do have catalogues and peoples to help and it's free.

My town in Iowa has about 75,000 inhabitants and its library has the six volumes of the 2016 Scott in its reference collection, for in-library use only, and the six volumes of the 2015 in its circulating collection. So each year it adds the most recent edition to reference and moves the former reference copies to its circulating collection. An adjoining town has about 20,000 residents and it also has the 2016 Scott volumes in its reference collection, and the 2013, 2014, and 2015 editions in its circulating collection. It follows the same rotation from reference to circulating. Residents of both towns can use both libraries. From one or the other I've never been unable to check out whatever Scott catalog I'm in need of. I once asked a librarian what is done with the old catalogs when they're removed from circulation and I only got rolled eyes and an evasive answer, which made me think she's been pestered in the past by collectors wanting the discards.

I have to admit having a chuckle (at Ikeys expense) over this. Last time I stopped into the Philatelic Foundation someone asked where I lived. I responded, "Western NY, East of Rochester". Someone groaned and replied, "Oh that's like Siberia for stamp collecting".

I didn't refute it. But..., a 20 minute walk form my home is a library with current year and past two years, Scott catalogs, all in circulation. Thirteen miles away is another public library, same set up. Twenty two miles away is another public library, same set up.