Background: I've noticed that many public libraries are lacking in translations of the suttas. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as donating a copy; many libraries don't take donations. And many libraries won't buy books that are more than a year or two old. So getting them to add any of the sutta translations can take some effort.
I'm going to work on getting a copy in our local library and will post updates on my progress. I will also add to this first post any tips or strategies people come up with. This thread can be a place for everyone to share there efforts to meet the challenge.
Of course any one is free to ask their library to add any Dhamma book, but I thought it would be fun for us to focus on a single book at first.
So...
Are you a librarian and can offer tips?
Have you ever gotten your local library to add a book of suttas?
Does your local library already have a copy of ItBW?
And most importantly...
Will you take up the challenge to get In the Buddha's Words in your local library?
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Tips and Suggestions
* Usually to request a book, you need to have a library card.
* Check to see if the library has any Sutta translations. If not, that can strengthen your case.
* libraries may have a policy of buying electronic versions of books if they are older. You can explain that because of numerous cross references this is not ideal for ItBW.
Here are some relevant facts about ItBW that may be helpful to share:
- It is a commercially published book
It is still in print, even though it came out in 2005
It is very inexpensive (find your local retail price)
It has excellent reviews on Amazon.com (4.7 out of five)
The publisher requested that the author create the anthology for use in University classrooms.
The author is one of the preeminent translators of Buddhist texts.
Participants
User (library) Date started
BKh (Saskatoon Public Library) 6 April 2016—ordered
Ben (Tasmania?) 6 April 2016
Daverupa (SLC)