Because Existential Books is a very small publisher,
its books do not often get into the collections of libraries.
There is no budget for sending information to libraries.
And thousands of better-known publishers
will always get first attention from librarians
responsible for acquiring new books.
Therefore Existential Books has decided to offer
unbound books to libraries free of charge.
WHAT LIBRARIES QUALIFY?
To qualify as a public or college library,
the library must have an on-line catalog,
so that Existential Books can make sure
that the books have actually been placed
on the shelves for readers to discover and appreciate.
Large library systems will have to be content with just 3 free books.
I suggest you accept and bind the three best books,
put them on your shelves,
and keep track of how often they are borrowed.
If one of these proves to have a large reading audience
within your library system,
then you should buy more copies.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
"Free of charge" means the following:
The unbound pages (including card-stock covers)
will be sent by US mail---library rate paid by Existential Books
(or airmail to libraries outside the USA).
Thus there will be absolutely no cost for acquisition.
However, the library that receives the gift
of books from Existential Books
will be responsible for binding the books
and placing them on the shelves.
This would normally fall within
the re-binding costs in any library budget.
And there will be some costs associated with cataloging each book.
Complete Library of Congress subject listings,
call number, International Standard Book Number, etc.
appear on each copyright page.
BINDING IS DONE BY THE RECEIVING LIBRARY:
Most libraries already have established methods
or binding and re-binding books.
And such binderies usually put the books into hard covers,
which is better than the bindings offered by Existential Books,
which are paperback bindings.
PAGE SIZE:
The unbound pages (and covers) have the following characteristics:
Each page is 24 pound paper, printed on both sides.
The front and back covers are printed on colored card stock, which is flexible.
The size of both cover and pages is: 8.5 X 11 inches.
The printing is laser printing.
Each page has wide margins,
making them ideal for binding—using any method.
The margin on the binding edge is 2 inches.
The margins on the three other sides if 1 inch each.
This allows for trimming after binding
without losing any of the text
and without making the margins too small.
THREE BOOK LIMIT:
Each library (or library system) will receive no more than 3 free books.
Of course, libraries everywhere on Earth
are welcome to purchase books following their normal procedures.
(But it would be cheaper to order directly from the publisher
rather than using a wholesaler.
All middle-men must add to the wholesale cost
to cover their expenses and make a profit.
Buying thru a wholesaler usually means
that each book must be shipped twice,
with all of the attendant bookkeeping and payments.)
The most likely three books
are the following three best sellers from Existential Books:
New Ways of Loving:
How Authenticity Transforms Relationships
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/NWL.html
This book on love is now in its 6th edition, 2007.
Becoming More Authentic:
The Positive Side of Existentialism
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/AU.html
This book on Authenticity is now in its 5th edition, 2007
Our Existential Predicament:
Loneliness, Depression, Anxiety, & Death
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/XP.html
This book on our Existential Malaise is now in its 5th edition, 2006.
These three books have stood the test of time,
since they were all first published several years ago.
They have been well-received by real readers,
who have kept them in print by continuing to buy them.
But very few libraries in the world have copies.
Acquiring librarians will be best able to guess
which books would be most borrowed by their own patrons.
And specialized libraries might choose
a completely different set of 3 free books.
Search the Internet for the publisher's website:
Existential Books.
Each book includes a large number of Library of Congress subject-headings
under which it should be cataloged.
These categories will be found on the copyright page of each book,
which is linked from the website for each book—URLs above.
NOT AN OFFER OF FREE BOOKS FOR LIBRARIANS PERSONALLY:
As wonderful as it is to have librarians who want to read these fine books,
this is not an offer which will allow people who work in libraries
to divert free books into their own collections at home.
We hope that you personally will want to read the books you choose.
But this will happen after your library has bound,
cataloged, and placed them on its shelves.
Then you book-loving librarians will be able to borrow and read them
just as easily as any other user of your library.
And when you are done, they will go back on the library shelf,
where other book-lovers will be able to find them and appreciate them.
In short, Existential Books will keep good records
of what libraries have received which books free of charge.
And we will be checking to make sure the books are available to readers.
HOW TO ORDER 3 FREE BOOKS FOR YOUR PUBLIC OR COLLEGE LIBRARY:
Since no money is due,
just sent the proper acquiring address by e-mail to:
orders@existentialbooks.com.
As noted above, you must be a library with an on-line catalog.
If there is an acquisitions number, please include it.
Or indicate to whom the books should be sent,
so that these books will not be discarded or sold
along with all the other donated books
that are not going to be added to your library's collection.
If you have any questions
or if you wish to purchase any books,
write first to the e-mail address above.
The reply will indicate where to send money
if you are buying books instead of
(or in addition to) this offer of 3 free books.
If your library purchases any books,
they will come to you bound in the binding of your choice.
These options are explained on the website for each book.
It makes the most sense to put
all the books you want into one package.
The mailing address for sending orders is:
EXISTENTIAL BOOKS
LOFTS ON ARTS AVENUE #218
1829 THIRD AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55404-2185
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
READERS MAY ENCOURAGE THEIR FAVORITE LIBRARIES
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER OF FREE BOOKS:
Ordinary users of libraries of all sorts
are welcome to alert their libraries of this free offer.
Readers are also welcome to indicate which books
they would borrow if they were added to the collection.
Just forward the URL of the message you are now reading
to your library's acquisitions department:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/LIB-FREE.html
AN APPRECIATION FROM THE PUBLISHER:
I care deeply about libraries.
I have borrowed hundreds of books over the years.
In fact, I own very few books.
This is the reason that I would prefer to have my books on the shelves of libraries
than in the hands of individual book-lovers.
I believe that careful readers will want to read my books more than once.
Hence, they will buy their own copies of the most recent editions.
One reading will be enough for most readers.
Librarians who allow small-press books onto the shelves
will allow many gems to be discovered by readers.
The website for each book offers
the full table of contents for that book,
as well as several pages for anyone to read.
This information will empower discerning librarians
to discover books that should be in their libraries.
—James Park, Publisher
Existential Books
Go to the Book
Review Index
to discover 600 reviews
organized into 60 bibliographies.
Return to the beginning
of this website:
An Existential
Philosopher's
Museum
.