My local library won't be stocking Graham Linehan's "Tough Crowd". Anyone else had the same response?

[OccultGnuNew]

I've been reading the ongoing discussion on Graham Linehan's book and decided to follow the suggestion within the thread and asked my local library about getting it into stock. I filled out the online form a couple of weeks ago.

Today I had a phone call from the library saying they were very sorry but wouldn't be adding it to their catalogue.

When asked why the response was "our supplier has given it a low rating". I asked for further clarification on what it was being rated as "low" on, the person on the phone didn't know but a low rating meant it wouldn't be being procured for the library.

I said I was aware the author had engaged with some controversial topics and was that the reason for the low rating? Again the person didn't know. I also asked for an example of a book with a high rating and again - don't know - the rating system is applied by the supplier not the library and the library uses the ratings as a guide.

I don't think the person on the phone was being obstructive, they evidently did not know the ins and outs of the rating system and how it was applied and were just passing on the information.

The supplier our library uses is Askews. I'm in a town with a population of 200,000 that has around 15 libraries and I've seen some of the crap they keep on the shelves. Why this is being declined I'm not sure,

Has anyone else come across this?

My library won't be stocking it because they can't afford it. Or any other new books.

Requested a copy from Central bedfordshire on Sunday.. they agreed and it is showing on their catalogue as on order as of yesterday..impressed with their speed and decision!

This sounds a bit like that episode of father ted when the bishop wanted to ban a film. This brought everyone in to watch it. I haven't even heard of this book but am looking it up now.

Viviennemary - goodness you're right, I'd forgotten that episode. Is it the Streisand effect I'm thinking of where an attempt to keep something out of the public eye backfires and actually creates more interest?

"Down with this sort of thing!"

I've checked my local library and they have got two on order.

Suffolk libraries have three copies. There’s a queue of people who’ve reserved it.

Just added my name to the Kent reserve list. Wierd I am number 10 but there are only 8 on the list!

Ha! RB Kensington & Chelsea have 1, yes 1 copy on order after I requested it last week 🙄

So we have one copy in my local library which has a queue suspiciously stalled at exactly 8 as above... But saw the library has enough resources to buy 'Surviving Transphobic' prominently by the children's section.

I assume it's not a blank joke book like Goves things I know about education...

I feel like we need an active map of the UK for this, lt will give a good indication of how the land lies, literally in some cases....

It's on the Sunday Times bestseller list, number 10 in General hardbacks.

https://archive.ph/MSyRA

I've just checked my local library catalogue. Graham Linehan, Sharron Davies and Kathleen Stock aren't listed as authors, so their books aren't available. They do have one copy of Helen Joyce's Trans.

The catalogue includes lots of books that are pro-trans, including Shon Faye and Elliot Page's books, and several books about "trans" children.

This area is mostly Tory-voting, so it's not as if it's a "woke" area whose population would be horrified to see gender critical books in the local libraries.

Disappointing.

Not necessarily. My local library has bought many transgender books, but the only gender critical book they appear to have is one copy of Helen Joyce's Trans.

I have my library copy 😁

It’s not on the Edinburgh council library catalogue though they seem to have fast tracked the Madonna book which was published ten days after Tough Crowd. Nothing against Madonna, just using that as an example of how the library can acquire books quickly when they want. I’ve completed the online request form for suggestions for books to purchase but I have zero hopes that GL’s book will appear in my local library. Edinburgh council are completely captured, this after all is the city where the head of the Rape Crisis centre is a man in a dress.

I phoned today to chase. Apparently the conversation i had last time about phoning me to let me know whether it is a book worthy of purchasing or not isn't the case and an email wasn't sent which I guess it couldn't have been if there's no one who performs this role. Anyway, it's been ordered and they'll email me when it's in and I'll give them two quid.

@Wormwoodgal thank you for that link, I've just requested it too! Considering the utter dross Edinburgh libraries do stock, I'm sure they can order a copy of this decent book as well.

My local authority libraries have bought it and I don’t know if that’s because I requested it or not but I have reserved it and I’m looking forward to reading it.

Also keen to read the Madonna book now I’ve seen that exists..

In my borough there are three copies and there are 18 people on the request list.

When OP started the thread I checked the catalogue here and there was no sign of GL's book. I was going to wait a couple more weeks and then request it but today it's showing as on order. They're only getting one copy but still...
So thanks for the reminder vipers as I've now reserved it as well as the Hannah Barnes book.

@GurlWithACurl Did you get any further with Leics? I'm just being nosy because Notts and Lincs are both stocking it.

And I had to laugh when I saw what example LCC has used to illustrate how to use their catalogue search.

I put in a stock suggestion request a fortnight ago. Just checked catalogue before following up and they now have 2 copies on order with requests on them.
This is Notts, I'm still not sure of the role of suppliers in this. Authorities using Askews could have been caught by them giving it a poor review. (Not an excuse though)

@magicmole I had an acknowledgment of my message to them, but have not had a proper response. As soon as I am well enough, I will follow this up. Thanks for reminding me!

Ask them to get it into stock for you. Interlibrary loan - they can borrow from other areas. Or ask them to buy it in because you're requesting it. My library will do this for a nominal fee (a couple of quid I think).