US Public Libraries And Poker

[Al Mirpuri]

I am in the UK. The average number of books devoted to poker in a UK library is one.

This book will be Play Poker To Win by Amarillo Slim or some such.

What is the situation vis-a-vis poker books in US libraries?

[Point Point]

In Vegas, all of the 2 + 2 books are everywhere (there are at least 15 branches), except PNL and the SNG book, but that's only because they just got released.

In addition, SS 1 and 2, all the McEvoy books are everywhere. But the Full Tilt book still isn't but that's also because it just got released. All of Hellmuth's stuff are here as well as all of Ciaffone's, Caro's, Capelleti's, Ken Warren, Scarne, John Patrick, etc.

[mshalen]

As in everything in poker "it depends".

In the US library buying decisions are made at the local level so some will have many books others will have none. But local libraries are very good at listening to the requests of their patrons so if people ask for poker books then good librarians will tend to stock them.

Also most libraries have arrangements to share books with other libraries in their area/county/state. So I can request any book (and I have requested some very old and out of print books) and my local library will borrow that book from another library.

[dirty banana2007]

Try putting in a request for books. I have a friend who occasionally requests books or dvd's that the library doesnt have and are sometimes able to buy. It would be good to have one or two libraries put together a decent list of books.

Actually if i remember correctly i was searching the website at kentish town library in london and i think they had a few poker books (albeit few worth borrowing).

[jase]

If you're looking for a particular book, you can always try searching:

www.worldcat.org

You can enter a keyword, you're given a post code/city option and then it finds the nearest library with the book you're looking for. I think UK has reasonable coverage.

[jfk]

Up until three or four years ago our local system had very few titles and nearly all were quite dated. There was Scarne, Livingston, Morehouse, Wallace and some other random authors and titles of a similar vintage.

Since about 2004 a few 2+2 titles have popped up on the shelves but generally well after release. I think my local library has ToP and SSHE. Most of the Hellmuth titles are there, some Caro has crept in and Roy West's stud book is on the shelf too.

Overall, the local library (and the county system) gets about a C- but its way better today than say, in 2002. There are maybe twenty titles in all, perhaps three of them are 2+2.

[SellingtheDrama]

My local library has a number of books ranging from Ken Warren to 2+2 (SSHE I recall seeing) to both SuperSystems.

They also have basically full coverage of non strategy poker books (Positively 5th Street et al)

[dave88]

The better titles 2+2 etc seem to go missing in my area.

[Al Mirpuri]

[ QUOTE ]
As in everything in poker "it depends".

In the US library buying decisions are made at the local level so some will have many books others will have none. But local libraries are very good at listening to the requests of their patrons so if people ask for poker books then good librarians will tend to stock them.

Also most libraries have arrangements to share books with other libraries in their area/county/state. So I can request any book (and I have requested some very old and out of print books) and my local library will borrow that book from another library.

[/ QUOTE ]

It is the same in the UK.

[Al Mirpuri]

[ QUOTE ]
If you're looking for a particular book, you can always try searching:

www.worldcat.org

You can enter a keyword, you're given a post code/city option and then it finds the nearest library with the book you're looking for. I think UK has reasonable coverage.

[/ QUOTE ]

I purchase my poker books as I see them as an investment. However, this facility is very useful to know about. Thank you.