This is about finding a needle in a haystack–well, actually about finding an out of print book that couldn’t be found.
I need to write a paper for a class I’m taking, and I felt I needed a certain book I’d heard of. It was out of print, but that shouldn’t be a problem–I have a major university library ay my disposal and it should have everything; especially a book that was only published in 1995, right?
Nope, it didn’t. Nor did any of the other university/college libraries in the provincial network. I could find a few used copies at places like Amazon, but I didn’t want to buy a book sight unseen, if it wasn’t going to help me with my paper. I wanted to flip through a copy first, like you do at a brick-and-mortar bookstore, and decide then if it would help. Only since the book was out of print, it would have to be a used bookstore.
I took a shot. I headed for the biggest used bookstore in town, and had no luck. There was a slightly smaller used bookstore across town, and I made my way there, to have a look.
And there it was! After spending fifteen to twenty minutes flipping through it, I determined that it was exactly what I needed for my paper. And the price was right too. A lucky find indeed; certainly, like finding a needle in a haystack.
Have you ever needed something that doesn’t seem to be available, took a chance looking for it anyway, and against the odds, found it?
Yup, when I was going to college there were several times I wanted to search down specific works that were either older or not in the top 40 so it was just random chance whether any particular store would grab a copy on release. Thus I got to go on a trek round and about Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Akihabara.
It was nice to get out and walk around, searching. And unlike most people who have similar experience, I wasn’t looking for anything particularly skeevy, so I fully have fond memories. (I did happen over some of the funnier, and scary, otaku stores though :eek: )
Just last week, I was looking for remote controls for a model of Kodak slide projector. The remote isn’t made any more nor are the projectors. The only remotes I could find either sold with a whole projector attached, or were listed with so little info I couldn’t tell if they worked with the model I have. All were used, of course.
So Friday I drive by a camera store to ask about NEW slide projectors, who makes 'em, what they cost etc. After a bit I say what I really need is a remote for this old Kodak one, and lo and behold. In a cabinet of unsold gear they have 5 wireless IR remotes that work with my projector, still in their original packaging, sitting there for at least 4 years.
The only problem left is they quoted me a price of $189 a pop, their original retail price. Since they nor their projectors are made any more, I kinda balked at that. I’m gonna talk to the manager this week and see if I can get that knocked down some. This is for work, at a not-for-profit, so maybe they could use a tax deduction for a donation, I would have thought they have written off the cost of this unmoveable inventory years ago.
It was Have Mercy, by Wolfman Jack. It’s his autobiography, but it has a great deal about the Mexican “border blaster” radio stations of the 1950s and 60s. I need information on those for my paper, and Wolfman not only broadcast his show on them, but he also ran one. So he’s a good primary source of information on them.
Not the kind of book you’d find at a university library? Actually, I’m surprised at what you can find in this university library. In addition to the scholarly works you expect to (and do) find, there are also popular novels by authors such as John Grisham and Stephen King, all kinds of current non-fiction bestsellers, and even a few graphic novels. What was surprising was that given what is in the library’s collection, this library didn’t have the Wolfman’s autobiography.
I spent several years combing through evey used bookstore I saw trying to find Kenneth Rexroth’s Hundred Poems from the Japanese. I was quite thrilled and satisfied when I finally found a copy. Last year, when I was nable to find my copy, I giggled quietly to myself and ordered one from Half.com. I like living in the future.
I would have thought they have written off the cost of this unmoveable inventory years ago.