What happened to you oldroser is completely unconcionable. It's really appalling that a gift, and one from a primary benefactor, could be so misused. I'm so sorry it happened. Rosefolly, I'm sorry your noble quest to donate a worthy title has become so convoluted. As Bellegallica said - just because it may be accepted, doesn't mean you'll see it in the stacks. And I think Oldroser hit the mark by talking about selling books, whether a rose book collection or even a new rose book. I know it may bring up a sore spot, but getting these great books into the hands of people who really want to read them is the first priority, right? So is a library really the right place to do so? I guess I'm being influenced by a review I read recently in the New York Times about Larry McMurtry's "Books: A Memoir" where he talks about his obsessive book collecting. My husband is one such kind of guy who relishes his "finds" on dusty shelves. I have some lovely old rose books due to his "hobby" and I secretly wait for the next one, even as I try to subdue his obsession. Anyone who loves books will cherish this volume and perhaps keep a copy, or sell it, or share it with those who will appreciate it. The ability to see quality in a book is foresight into its intrinsic value, now, or in the future. Even though public libraries may not see it now, there are many more venues to appreciate its value.

Dave -- I didn't expect sympathy. I made it clear in my initial post that I was looking for an answer from professional landscape/nursery people as to why they thought the owner I called did not want to be interviewed and featured in a magazine story. Believe me, I learned a great deal from the answers. As you say, nearly all of them were negative. Many of the posters question the value of local news coverage of their business, especially re print media. Some of them, as you noted, seem angry. They want to chew me out for either shortcomings they perceive in me or what I perceive to be a general dislike of writers/print media people, usually based on one negative experience they had with a local publication or a telemarketer disguised as a writer. I find this extremely interesting. If I used the same criteria in judging nursery owners I would never set foot in a garden center again! (By the way, I feel like I do have a hands-on understanding of what running a nursery is all about. I have worked in them, and I have done lots of dirty grunt work in the plant world, and I have been certified in a horticultural program in my region. I know plants and I know plant people.) It is also educational for me to read the sentiment posted by several respondents that they don't think I'm deferential enough, that I need to realize that I'm looking for a favor from the people I contact. When writing about individuals who own beautiful gardens, or designers whose work is outstanding, this is certainly true. But it is certainly not true for stories which are what I call 'round-up' format -- when you're looking for several business owners in a particular niche market, i.e. fitness center franchisees, doggy dare care businesses, restaurant owners, or nursery owners -- who are willing to be included in a regional look at that consumer industry. If you don't like writers or don't like the publication I write for or don't like the sound of my voice or are pissed off that I didn't drive 80 miles and stand at your counter waiting to ask you for two paragraph's worth of copy and you tell me so -- then guess what? I go to the next guy on the list. That's not arrogance -- it's reality. I have a deadline, and I don't get paid unless I meet it. And so this next guy gets his copy, and his photo, and his address and phone number are printed up in nice bold font. And maybe it doesn't get him thousands of dollars in extra sales. But for the exposure it did bring him, was it worth giving me five minutes on the phone? I think anyone would agree that it probably was. I don't have a problem with being dumped on in this thread -- it's clear that in doing so I'm filling a need for a lot of businessmen/women who need to vent. My skin is thick, and like I say, I've learned a lot from the responses. But instead of getting mad, some of you should be asking why this topic seems to irritate you so. And then also ask yourself -- is that kind of attitude helping my business? Or hurting it?

How sweet. It wouldn't work around here, but I know it would work elsewhere, especially rural areas or small towns. I've stayed in vacation homes with libraries of paperbacks where you are invited to take one and asked to leave one that you have finished. It's interesting to see the range of material. I can walk to my local library, so that works for me! Another great source of free books is paperbackswap.com. You list the books you have and want to swap, and then someone will ask for it. You send it and get a credit for a book that you would like to read that someone else has offered. It isn't fast but it is fun. I think they do cd's and dvd's now too. Here is a link that might be useful: paperback swap

There was an article in our local newspaper yesterday saying that the city is installing several Little Free Libraries in an low-income area where the nearest public library branch is three miles away and stocking them mostly with children's books. It showed photos of some of them, looking pretty much like bird houses and cute as can be. I hope they are a runaway success.