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FROM: "Fiction_L Administrator" <[removed]@webrary.org>
REC'D: 1/20/03, 3:22 PM

From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>

When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?

Barb in Wisconsin

FROM: [removed]@msln.net
REC'D: 1/20/03, 3:22 PM

I agree with you that type size matters to people choosing a book. OTOH, I
don't like large print (both the type of book known as 'large print' and also
type that just looks 'too large' to me) or large margins.

~ Molly Wms.
--
Molly Williams
Volunteer, Waterboro Public Library
Weblog: http://www.waterboro.lib.me.us/blog.htm

Quoting Fiction_L Administrator <[removed]@webrary.org>:

> From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>
> When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
> interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
> attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
> important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
> publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
> and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>
> Barb in Wisconsin
>

FROM: "Laura McCaffery" <[removed]@acpl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 1/20/03, 3:43 PM

I am glad someone else out there does not like large print. I HATE it when my reserve gets filled with a large print by error. I grumble and refuse it and wait impatiently for the regular print to come in. lmc

Laura Hibbets McCaffery
Readers Services
Allen County Public Library
900 Webster Street
Fort Wayne IN 46802
260-421-1200x2303
This is my opinion and mine alone. The
views, opinions, and judgements
expressed in this message are solely
those of the author. The message
contents have not been reviewed or
approved by the Allen County Public
Library.

>>> [removed]@msln.net 01/20/03 04:21PM >>>
I agree with you that type size matters to people choosing a book. OTOH, I
don't like large print (both the type of book known as 'large print' and also
type that just looks 'too large' to me) or large margins.

~ Molly Wms.
--
Molly Williams
Volunteer, Waterboro Public Library
Weblog: http://www.waterboro.lib.me.us/blog.htm

Quoting Fiction_L Administrator <[removed]@webrary.org>:

> From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>
> When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
> interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
> attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
> important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
> publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
> and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>
> Barb in Wisconsin
>

......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 8:50 AM

>From: "Fiction_L Administrator" <[removed]@webrary.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Print size
>Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 15:18:00 -0600
>
>
>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>
>When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
>interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
>attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
>important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
>publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
>and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>

I wouldn't say that it does "very much limit" readership. After all, it
isn't that hard (or even that expensive, now that there are chains like
LensCrafters in every mall) to get glasses!

_________________________________________________________________
The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
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FROM: Jocelyn Bach <[removed]@wclc.org>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 9:00 AM

Even with glasses (which I've had to wear since second grade), it's gotten
very hard for me, at age 44, to read small print. When browsing for a
book, the first thing I look at after the cover is the size of the print.
If the print is small enough and close enough to strain my eyes, then I'll
choose not to read something unless I HAVE to read it for some reason.
Pleasure reading should not be painful.

Another thing that I have trouble reading is white print on a dark
background - this is used not only on the back of video boxes, but
sometimes by Newsweek for entire pages at the beginning an an article.

Jocelyn Miller
Western Connecticut Library Council

>>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>>Subject: Print size
>>Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 15:18:00 -0600
>>
>>
>>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>>
>>When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>>
>
>I wouldn't say that it does "very much limit" readership. After all, it
isn't that hard (or even that expensive, now that there are chains like
LensCrafters in every mall) to get glasses!
>

FROM: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 10:15 AM

I agree with you whole-heartedly, and so do most of my customers. Why don't
publishers "get it", is my question.

>From: Jocelyn Bach <[removed]@wclc.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Print size
>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 09:55:37 -0800
>
>Even with glasses (which I've had to wear since second grade), it's gotten
>very hard for me, at age 44, to read small print. When browsing for a
>book, the first thing I look at after the cover is the size of the print.
>If the print is small enough and close enough to strain my eyes, then I'll
>choose not to read something unless I HAVE to read it for some reason.
>Pleasure reading should not be painful.
>
>Another thing that I have trouble reading is white print on a dark
>background - this is used not only on the back of video boxes, but
>sometimes by Newsweek for entire pages at the beginning an an article.
>
>
>Jocelyn Miller
>Western Connecticut Library Council
>
>
>
> >>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> >>Subject: Print size
> >>Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 15:18:00 -0600
> >>
> >>
> >>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
> >>
> >>When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
>interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
>attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
>important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
>publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
>and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
> >>
> >
> >I wouldn't say that it does "very much limit" readership. After all, it
>isn't that hard (or even that expensive, now that there are chains like
>LensCrafters in every mall) to get glasses!
> >
>
>
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

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FROM: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 10:37 AM

Oh, but, it does. If an author is only published in paperback, for example,
which is printed in small print. A lot of people, who do not like that sort
of print, do not read that author's works. I've witnessed this sort of
thing, repeatedly.

>From: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Print size
>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 14:35:48 +0000
>
>
>>From: "Fiction_L Administrator" <[removed]@webrary.org>
>>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>>Subject: Print size
>>Date: Mon, 20 Jan 2003 15:18:00 -0600
>>
>>
>>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>>
>>When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
>>interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
>>attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
>>important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
>>publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people off,
>>and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this trend?
>>
>
>I wouldn't say that it does "very much limit" readership. After all, it
>isn't that hard (or even that expensive, now that there are chains like
>LensCrafters in every mall) to get glasses!
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE*
>http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 10:58 AM

>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Print size
>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 16:11:25 +0000
>
>I agree with you whole-heartedly, and so do most of my customers. Why don't
>publishers "get it", is my question.
>

And a very easily answered one. Keep in mind that almost all publishers
today are owned by conglomerates, and even the ones that aren't have to
*compete* with conglomerates. A conglomerate thinks only and always of the
Bottom Line. It costs MONEY to print a book. The longer it is (and big
print makes it longer), the more money it costs, and the less the Brass Hats
get. Yes, I'm a terrible cynic.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*.
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FROM: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 11:08 AM

How sad for the authors that aren't getting read.

>From: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Print size
>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 16:53:41 +0000
>
>
>
>>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>>Subject: Re: Print size
>>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 16:11:25 +0000
>>
>>I agree with you whole-heartedly, and so do most of my customers. Why
>>don't publishers "get it", is my question.
>>
>
>And a very easily answered one. Keep in mind that almost all publishers
>today are owned by conglomerates, and even the ones that aren't have to
>*compete* with conglomerates. A conglomerate thinks only and always of the
>Bottom Line. It costs MONEY to print a book. The longer it is (and big
>print makes it longer), the more money it costs, and the less the Brass
>Hats get. Yes, I'm a terrible cynic.
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*.
>http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

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FROM: "Sarah Stein" <[removed]@denver.lib.co.us>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 12:22 PM

Perhaps I'm the only one? Tiny print definitely limits MY readership.
When reading for pleasure I do NOT wish to wear my bifocals. And in
general paperbacks are pleasure reading.

Just one opinion of one aging librarian ....

Sarah

Sarah Stein
Senior Special Collections Librarian
Materials Support/Special Cataloging
Denver Public Library
Denver, Colorado, USA
[removed]@denver.lib.co.us

>>> [removed]@hotmail.com 01/21/03 07:35AM >>>

I wouldn't say that it does "very much limit" readership. After all,
it
isn't that hard (or even that expensive, now that there are chains like

LensCrafters in every mall) to get glasses!

FROM: "Amanda L.S. Murphy" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 2:41 PM

And the same opinion of a not so aging reader...I am
only in my 20s, and wear bifocals as well. I
definately do not like reading small print, especially
after spending all day at work staring at a computer
screen and various reference materials full of small
print.

But, I also cannot get use to very large print books
(either regular large print or ones with fonts that
just looks big).

Amanda L.S. Murphy
Reference Assistant
Massillon Public Library
Massillon, Ohio 44646

--- Sarah Stein <[removed]@denver.lib.co.us> wrote:
> Perhaps I'm the only one? Tiny print definitely
> limits MY readership.
> When reading for pleasure I do NOT wish to wear my
> bifocals. And in
> general paperbacks are pleasure reading.
>
> Just one opinion of one aging librarian ....
>
> Sarah
>
> Sarah Stein
> Senior Special Collections Librarian
> Materials Support/Special Cataloging
> Denver Public Library
> Denver, Colorado, USA
> [removed]@denver.lib.co.us
>
> >>> [removed]@hotmail.com 01/21/03 07:35AM >>>
>
> I wouldn't say that it does "very much limit"
> readership. After all,
> it
> isn't that hard (or even that expensive, now that
> there are chains like
>
> LensCrafters in every mall) to get glasses!
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
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FROM: JCURTIN <[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 4:42 PM

As a member of the over-40 group, I have to say that size does matter. <g>
At least when it comes to the printed word! Several years ago when I was
assistant manager at a book store, I had a lovely elderly lady come in
looking for large print books. At the time, they were just coming into
popularity, and most of the titles she wanted to read were not available.
She just gave me and my younger colleague a disgusted look and said, "You
aren't going to be twenty forever, you know!"

And she was right! I find it harder to read long books with small print, and
the large print is still too large to be really comfortable. Paperbacks are
reserved for days when I'm wearing my reading glasses and not my contact
lenses. It can get frustrating. And sometimes, it's not even the size of the
print, but the density of it. Thin, narrow fonts are difficult even when the
type size is adequate.

Publishers really need to take a close look at the changing demographics of
their readership, and make the necessary adjustments, if they want to
continue to sell books to the general population. As my customer said, even
Gen-X er's aren't going to be twenty forever.

Joan Curtin

FROM: "BookBitch" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 5:02 PM

This thread touches on something I've been wondering about. I read that the
next Harry Potter book is about 30% longer than the Goblet of Fire, which
weighed in at 750+ pages. The UK edition of book 5 is only 700 pages
though, and Scholastic hasn't announced what the U.S. version will be yet.
I've been wondering if they are going to shrink the print size to keep the
book at a size that a child could manage. On the other hand, if they make
the print too small, it will appear very intimidating to kids. I'm very
curious as to how they are going to handle it.

Just my two cents...

Stacy Alesi
Southwest County Regional Library
Palm Beach County Library System
www.pbclibrary.org

I am the BookBitch
www.bookbitch.com <http://www.bookbitch.com/>

Win a signed copy of THE SEDUCTION OF WATER
A new thriller by Carol Goodman, Jan. 1-31, 2003

FROM: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/21/03, 10:22 PM

You said it, exactly how I hear it from my customers. Bravo!!!!

>From: JCURTIN <[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>Date: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 17:37:56 -0500
>
>As a member of the over-40 group, I have to say that size does matter. <g>
>At least when it comes to the printed word! Several years ago when I was
>assistant manager at a book store, I had a lovely elderly lady come in
>looking for large print books. At the time, they were just coming into
>popularity, and most of the titles she wanted to read were not available.
>She just gave me and my younger colleague a disgusted look and said, "You
>aren't going to be twenty forever, you know!"
>
>And she was right! I find it harder to read long books with small print,
>and
>the large print is still too large to be really comfortable. Paperbacks are
>reserved for days when I'm wearing my reading glasses and not my contact
>lenses. It can get frustrating. And sometimes, it's not even the size of
>the
>print, but the density of it. Thin, narrow fonts are difficult even when
>the
>type size is adequate.
>
>Publishers really need to take a close look at the changing demographics of
>their readership, and make the necessary adjustments, if they want to
>continue to sell books to the general population. As my customer said, even
>Gen-X er's aren't going to be twenty forever.
>
>Joan Curtin
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 7:24 AM

I don't see why all large corporate entities aren't paying more attention to
the 50+ group, of which I have the honor to be a member. It's a pretty
prosperous group, even after the recent unpleasantnesses on Wall Street, and
it's a group that buys things. If we made more financial noise, perhaps the
marketers would pay more attention.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: JCURTIN [[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us]
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:38 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

As a member of the over-40 group, I have to say that size does matter. <g>
At least when it comes to the printed word! Several years ago when I was
assistant manager at a book store, I had a lovely elderly lady come in
looking for large print books. At the time, they were just coming into
popularity, and most of the titles she wanted to read were not available.
She just gave me and my younger colleague a disgusted look and said, "You
aren't going to be twenty forever, you know!"

And she was right! I find it harder to read long books with small print, and
the large print is still too large to be really comfortable. Paperbacks are
reserved for days when I'm wearing my reading glasses and not my contact
lenses. It can get frustrating. And sometimes, it's not even the size of the
print, but the density of it. Thin, narrow fonts are difficult even when the
type size is adequate.

Publishers really need to take a close look at the changing demographics of
their readership, and make the necessary adjustments, if they want to
continue to sell books to the general population. As my customer said, even
Gen-X er's aren't going to be twenty forever.

Joan Curtin

......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

FROM: "Janet Lawson" <[removed]@bookbrowser.com>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 8:26 AM

As more Baby Boomers hit their 50's it will become the demographic group
that all companies target!

-janet
www.BookBrowser.com

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Kathleen Stipek
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 5:07 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

I don't see why all large corporate entities aren't paying more attention to
the 50+ group, of which I have the honor to be a member. It's a pretty
prosperous group, even after the recent unpleasantnesses on Wall Street, and
it's a group that buys things. If we made more financial noise, perhaps the
marketers would pay more attention.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: JCURTIN [[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us]
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:38 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

As a member of the over-40 group, I have to say that size does matter. <g>
At least when it comes to the printed word! Several years ago when I was
assistant manager at a book store, I had a lovely elderly lady come in
looking for large print books. At the time, they were just coming into
popularity, and most of the titles she wanted to read were not available.
She just gave me and my younger colleague a disgusted look and said, "You
aren't going to be twenty forever, you know!"

And she was right! I find it harder to read long books with small print, and
the large print is still too large to be really comfortable. Paperbacks are
reserved for days when I'm wearing my reading glasses and not my contact
lenses. It can get frustrating. And sometimes, it's not even the size of the
print, but the density of it. Thin, narrow fonts are difficult even when the
type size is adequate.

Publishers really need to take a close look at the changing demographics of
their readership, and make the necessary adjustments, if they want to
continue to sell books to the general population. As my customer said, even
Gen-X er's aren't going to be twenty forever.

Joan Curtin

......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://fictionl.webrary.org

FROM: "Hogan, Jean E." <[removed]@nvcc.edu>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 8:26 AM

But if we Baby Boomers (myself included) don't make it KNOWN to publishers
that we are unhappy with 'long books with small print' publishers will
maintain the status quo.
(The last paperback I read was a trade edition I got from my local public
library; regular paperbacks are not as much 'fun' to read as I get older. I
use reading glasses with my contacts.)

-----Original Message-----
From: Janet Lawson [[removed]@bookbrowser.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 9:13 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

As more Baby Boomers hit their 50's it will become the demographic group
that all companies target!

-janet
www.BookBrowser.com

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Kathleen Stipek
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 5:07 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

I don't see why all large corporate entities aren't paying more attention to
the 50+ group, of which I have the honor to be a member. It's a pretty
prosperous group, even after the recent unpleasantnesses on Wall Street, and
it's a group that buys things. If we made more financial noise, perhaps the
marketers would pay more attention.

........................................................................
.....................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: JCURTIN [[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us]
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:38 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

As a member of the over-40 group, I have to say that size does matter. <g>
At least when it comes to the printed word! Several years ago when I was
assistant manager at a book store, I had a lovely elderly lady come in
looking for large print books. At the time, they were just coming into
popularity, and most of the titles she wanted to read were not available.
She just gave me and my younger colleague a disgusted look and said, "You
aren't going to be twenty forever, you know!"

And she was right! I find it harder to read long books with small print, and
the large print is still too large to be really comfortable. Paperbacks are
reserved for days when I'm wearing my reading glasses and not my contact
lenses. It can get frustrating. And sometimes, it's not even the size of the
print, but the density of it. Thin, narrow fonts are difficult even when the
type size is adequate.

Publishers really need to take a close look at the changing demographics of
their readership, and make the necessary adjustments, if they want to
continue to sell books to the general population. As my customer said, even
Gen-X er's aren't going to be twenty forever.

Joan Curtin

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FROM: Theresa <[removed]@pelican.state.lib.la.us>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 9:08 AM

Oddly enough, just yesterday a friend of mine who is also a library patron
was telling me that she could no longer read paperback books because she
had so much trouble with the print. So that would be another confirmation
that yes, it does matter.

As for the neighborhood murders question, I figured this wasn't the series
the patron wanted, but I too was reminded of the Goldy Bear mysteries by
Davidson. I'm glad someone else thought so too.

>This is a reach, but the plots remind me of Diane Mott
>Davidson's Goldy Bear series. She is a caterer, not a
>decorator, but several of her stories are related to
>schools, PTAs, she's divorced and dating a policeman.
>She also has a teenage(?) son and had taken in other
>teenagers in a few books. May be worth a try.
>Good Luck!
>Cindy
>

FROM: BookBitch <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 9:08 AM

--- Kathleen Stipek wrote:
>I don't see why all large corporate entities
> aren't paying more attention to
> the 50+ group, of which I have the honor to be
> a member.

I think they are paying attention, although
perhaps not to the degree you would like. The
biggest publishers, Random House and Time Warner
Books for instance, are now publishing large
print editions of their best selling books, and
making them available at the same time, too. It
was only a few short years ago that there were
only a couple of companies printing large print
books, the quality was often terrible, and the
covers were awful - they didn't look anything
like the original book, and you often had to wait
a year or more for the books to become available.

The problem with the mass market paperbacks is if
the print is made larger, the book becomes
unwieldly - hence the proliferation of trade
paperbacks, a size virtually unheard of fifteen
years ago.

I don't know what the solution would be if the
regular print is too small, and you don't like
the large print - but at least there are more
choices available now then ever before.

Stacy Alesi
Southwest County Regional Library
Palm Beach County Library System
www.pbclibrary.org

=====
I am the BookBitch
www.bookbitch.com

Win a signed copy of THE SEDUCTION OF WATER
A new thriller by Carol Goodman, Jan. 1-31, 2003

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FROM: "Connie Jo Ozinga" <[removed]@elkhart.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 9:18 AM

Since I added magnifying reading glasses to my usual contacts I don't have trouble with print size. But my increasingly arthritis ridden middle aged body is finding it more and more painful to hold large hardcovers for any length of time. I am working on The Crimson Petal and the White, based on the many recommendations of all of you, and my right wrist is suffering after every stretch of reading.

I was horrified when I was first informed that I needed the reading glasses - it has always been my goal to not LOOK like a librarian <G> - but I found that bright colored fun ones are available. My faves are at http://www.peeperspecs.com. NAYY.

Connie

@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@
Connie Jo Ozinga, Library Director
Elkhart Public Library Elkhart, Indiana
http://www.elkhart.lib.in.us
[removed]@elkhart.lib.in.us
@º°`°º@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@ø,¸¸,ø@º°`°º@ø,¸¸

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FROM: Spencer Ms Martha <[removed]@usmc-mccs.org>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 9:27 AM

This is stretching a little, but e-book readers allow readers to increase
the size of the font. I am not sure how widespread they are in libraries,
but at least some are buying these and checking them out to patrons.

Martha

-----Original Message-----
From: BookBitch [[removed]@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 9:56 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Print Size

--- Kathleen Stipek wrote:
>I don't see why all large corporate entities
> aren't paying more attention to
> the 50+ group, of which I have the honor to be
> a member.

I think they are paying attention, although
perhaps not to the degree you would like. The
biggest publishers, Random House and Time Warner
Books for instance, are now publishing large
print editions of their best selling books, and
making them available at the same time, too. It
was only a few short years ago that there were
only a couple of companies printing large print
books, the quality was often terrible, and the
covers were awful - they didn't look anything
like the original book, and you often had to wait
a year or more for the books to become available.

The problem with the mass market paperbacks is if
the print is made larger, the book becomes
unwieldly - hence the proliferation of trade
paperbacks, a size virtually unheard of fifteen
years ago.

I don't know what the solution would be if the
regular print is too small, and you don't like
the large print - but at least there are more
choices available now then ever before.

Stacy Alesi
Southwest County Regional Library
Palm Beach County Library System
www.pbclibrary.org

=====
I am the BookBitch
www.bookbitch.com

Win a signed copy of THE SEDUCTION OF WATER
A new thriller by Carol Goodman, Jan. 1-31, 2003

__________________________________________________
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FROM: "Lynda" <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 10:02 AM

My patrons frequently check for print size before taking a book, we have
those that only read Large Print Books, but there are others that want
larger, but not what is in a Large Print...at least not yet. In order
to get a best seller without a long reserve list, some will read LP, but
only then.

Same goes for the too small print in paperbacks.

I just left the glorious 50's a few months ago and am about blind as a
bat and have been since 5th grade. I can see just fine if I take the
glasses off and get the book about 10 inches from my face. I'd rather
read anything in a paperback because they are so portable and convenient
anytime I am just having to sit and wait.

Lynda Whitton, Br. Mgr.
Northwest Br. Lib.
Corpus Christi, TX

From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>

When choosing a "good" book to read. I knew that people were pretty much
interested in genre type. Another thing that often reels them in is an
attractive cover. However, what I have noticed, that plays an equally
important part in which book people often select is PRINT SIZE. Do
publishers not realize that paperbacks with minute print turn people
off,
and very much limit their readership? Has anyone else noticed this
trend?

Barb in Wisconsin

FROM: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/22/03, 12:08 PM

I agree, we should let them know. Any ideas??

>From: "Hogan, Jean E." <[removed]@nvcc.edu>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 09:20:48 -0500
>
>But if we Baby Boomers (myself included) don't make it KNOWN to publishers
>that we are unhappy with 'long books with small print' publishers will
>maintain the status quo.
>(The last paperback I read was a trade edition I got from my local public
>library; regular paperbacks are not as much 'fun' to read as I get older.
>I
>use reading glasses with my contacts.)
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Janet Lawson [[removed]@bookbrowser.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 9:13 AM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>
>
>As more Baby Boomers hit their 50's it will become the demographic group
>that all companies target!
>
>-janet
>www.BookBrowser.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
>[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Kathleen Stipek
>Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 5:07 AM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>
>
>I don't see why all large corporate entities aren't paying more attention
>to
>the 50+ group, of which I have the honor to be a member. It's a pretty
>prosperous group, even after the recent unpleasantnesses on Wall Street,
>and
>it's a group that buys things. If we made more financial noise, perhaps
>the
>marketers would pay more attention.
>
>........................................................................
>.....................
>Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
>Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
>352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)
>
>"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: JCURTIN [[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us]
>Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2003 5:38 PM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>
>
>As a member of the over-40 group, I have to say that size does matter. <g>
>At least when it comes to the printed word! Several years ago when I was
>assistant manager at a book store, I had a lovely elderly lady come in
>looking for large print books. At the time, they were just coming into
>popularity, and most of the titles she wanted to read were not available.
>She just gave me and my younger colleague a disgusted look and said, "You
>aren't going to be twenty forever, you know!"
>
>And she was right! I find it harder to read long books with small print,
>and
>the large print is still too large to be really comfortable. Paperbacks are
>reserved for days when I'm wearing my reading glasses and not my contact
>lenses. It can get frustrating. And sometimes, it's not even the size of
>the
>print, but the density of it. Thin, narrow fonts are difficult even when
>the
>type size is adequate.
>
>Publishers really need to take a close look at the changing demographics of
>their readership, and make the necessary adjustments, if they want to
>continue to sell books to the general population. As my customer said, even
>Gen-X er's aren't going to be twenty forever.
>
>Joan Curtin
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
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>
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>
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FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 8:28 AM

>From: BookBitch <[removed]@yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 06:56:03 -0800 (PST)
>
>
>The problem with the mass market paperbacks is if
>the print is made larger, the book becomes
>unwieldly...

Very good point. One of the great selling points of paperbacks is that they
are small and light. You can stick them in your pocket or purse, and if you
decide to make them a permanent part of your library, they take up a lot
less shelf space than a hardcover does.
>
>I don't know what the solution would be if the
>regular print is too small, and you don't like
>the large print...

One possibility is a device you sometimes see advertised in magazines and
Sunday supplements. I forget what it's called, but it involves a magnifier
and a screen. Of course, it's not especially portable!

_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 8:38 AM

>From: "Connie Jo Ozinga" <[removed]@elkhart.lib.in.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: print size Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 10:13:58 -0500
>
>Since I added magnifying reading glasses to my usual contacts I don't have
>trouble with print size. But my increasingly arthritis ridden middle aged
>body is finding it more and more painful to hold large hardcovers for any
>length of time. I am working on The Crimson Petal and the White, based on
>the many recommendations of all of you, and my right wrist is suffering
>after every stretch of reading.

I would think it should be possible to find some kind of folding book rest
that you could attach to your chair arm. Ask through the Barnes & Noble or
Amazon websites (by e-mail). Or--what's the name of that catalogue company
that specializes in book-related merchandise? I don't use them because
they're expensive, but they've got some good stuff.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 8:49 AM

>From: "B. Gigot" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Print Size
>Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 18:03:56 +0000
>
>I agree, we should let them know. Any ideas??
>

Here's a thought:

Many of us are doubtless members of professional librarians' associations,
and these associations hold gatherings (didn't I see someone posting a note
about one recently?). Why not, in such times of interaction, talk up the
possibility of putting out petitions for patrons to sign? These could then
be duplicated and sent out to all the publishing houses (any librarian can
get her hands on their addresses easily enough).

_________________________________________________________________
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FROM: Kim Rutter <[removed]@lvdl.org>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 8:59 AM

Levenger's is the catalog company that sends me expensive book-related
catalogs.

Kim

Kim Uden Rutter
Head, Technical Services
Lake Villa District Library
Lake Villa, IL

"If I went west, I think I would go to Kansas."--Abraham Lincoln

-----Original Message-----
From: christine jeffords [[removed]@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 8:26 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: print size

>From: "Connie Jo Ozinga" <[removed]@elkhart.lib.in.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: print size Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 10:13:58 -0500
>
>Since I added magnifying reading glasses to my usual contacts I don't have
>trouble with print size. But my increasingly arthritis ridden middle aged
>body is finding it more and more painful to hold large hardcovers for any
>length of time. I am working on The Crimson Petal and the White, based on
>the many recommendations of all of you, and my right wrist is suffering
>after every stretch of reading.

I would think it should be possible to find some kind of folding book rest
that you could attach to your chair arm. Ask through the Barnes & Noble or
Amazon websites (by e-mail). Or--what's the name of that catalogue company
that specializes in book-related merchandise? I don't use them because
they're expensive, but they've got some good stuff.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

......................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
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FROM: Dennis Lien <[removed]@tc.umn.edu>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 9:10 AM

At 06:56 AM 1/22/03 -0800, you wrote:

>The problem with the mass market paperbacks is if
>the print is made larger, the book becomes
>unwieldly - hence the proliferation of trade
>paperbacks, a size virtually unheard of fifteen
>years ago.
>Stacy Alesi

While trade pbs are certainly more common now, my memory does not
agree that they were "virtually unheard of" fifteen years ago, or
even thirty or forty years ago. Surely Dover Books at least has
been consistently publishing in that format since the fifties or
so? (Though their speciality has always been reprints of older
material, and perhaps you're talking just of current popular stuff.)

Two solutions for less unwieldly mass market paperbacks: (1) shorter
novels (I'd be all in favor of that, but I am as usual in a
minority here, since the publishing industry is convinced everyone
wants bugcrushers, and mostly they're probably right), and (2)
reprinting long works broken up into two or three paperbacks (vol. 1,
vol. 2 sort of thing). The latter has occured now and then, but
also has obvious problems. (One recent example is Mary Gentle's
gigantic alternate world historical fantasy ASH, which appeared in
its original edition in the UK as one gigantic book, but which was
broken up for US publication into four still-thick--500+ pages each--
mass market paperbacks.)

Dennis Lien / U of Minnesota Libraries // [removed]@tc.umn.edu

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 10:36 AM

>From: Kim Rutter <[removed]@lvdl.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: print size
>Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 08:56:02 -0600
>
>Levenger's is the catalog company that sends me expensive book-related
>catalogs.
>
>

RIGHT! That's the one. Thank you for supplying the name, Kim. I imagine
they have a website, too. So if they don't stock a book rest, e-mail them
and ask them to get one.

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*.
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FROM: "BookBitch" <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 1/23/03, 7:49 PM

Dennis Lien wrote:
>>While trade pbs are certainly more common now, my memory does not
agree that they were "virtually unheard of" fifteen years ago, or
even thirty or forty years ago. Surely Dover Books at least has
been consistently publishing in that format since the fifties or
so? (Though their speciality has always been reprints of older
material, and perhaps you're talking just of current popular stuff.)>>

I was referring to current popular fiction & nonfiction. Classics (and
textbooks and some reference books) have been printed as trade paperbacks
for considerably longer, but I don't think anyone was complaining about the
print size of those, as so many versions are generally available.

I wouldn't consider a 400 page hardcover a "bugcrusher" but it does make for
a rather chunky mass market paperback. And multi-volumes mean
multi-dollars.

Also, for anyone who is interested, the AP in the NY Times says that "Harry
Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is 768 pages long, and by word count
one-third longer than its predecessor, ``Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire,'' ... Some fans may have to squint through the ``Order of Phoenix.''
One reason for all those pages is that publishers have used a smaller type.
``The last book was pretty chunky, and we wanted to prevent this one being
too big,'' said Bloomsbury spokeswoman Rosamund de la Hey."

A link to the entire article:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/arts/AP-Britain-Harry-Potter.html?8bu

Stacy Alesi
Southwest County Regional Library
Palm Beach County Library System
www.pbclibrary.org

I am the BookBitch
www.bookbitch.com <http://www.bookbitch.com/>

Win a signed copy of THE SEDUCTION OF WATER
A new thriller by Carol Goodman, Jan. 1-31, 2003

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