Hello: I am writing to this list as a communication studies scholar conducting research on Orthodox publishing. I am specifically interested in the rapid growth of the ArtScroll / Mesorah Press across the English-speaking world (and also, increasingly, in other contexts, including Israel and the former Soviet Union), both as a publisher of seforim and other, 'non-religious' books (musar, self-help, history, novels, memoirs, cookbooks, etc). Through a series of comparative studies in three cities (London, Toronto and New York) I have been tracing the penetration of ArtScroll books in various contexts, such as synagogues which have acquired their Siddur or Chumash, as well as through the retail book market.
But I am also interested in the way ArtScroll books have been acquired, are requested, made use of (or not used) in Jewish libraries, broadly conceived. To that end, I am soliciting your responses to a couple questions. If there are any interested librarians who would be willing to correspond with me about your experience/knowledge at your library, I would be very grateful to hear from you (preferably by e-mail). I am especially interested to learn about: (a) any libraries that have significant collections of ArtScroll's 'non-religious' books (e.g., the history books, memoirs, self-help, novels, etc), and if so, what kind of use is made of them by library patrons. Were they acquired in response to requests? Were they donated (by a patron)? Are they frequently borrowed? Are there any observations you would venture to share about the 'profile' of patrons who borrow them? (b) any librarians who have noted controversies among patrons regarding the library's acquisition or holding of ArtScroll books. Have there been patrons who complain about the presence of ArtScroll books in the library? Patrons who want there to be more of them? People who allege that the press is "ideological" or "motivated"? Or that the translations and/or commentaries aren't good? Or, to the contrary, patrons who have made a pointed effort to sing praises about ArtScroll books? (c) any possible incidents of theft or vandalism involving ArtScroll books. (d) any interesting stories about how ArtScroll books were donated to your library. Thanks for your time and attention to this, I'm very grateful for your input. Best regards, Jeremy Stolow Assistant Professor, Sociology & Communication Studies McMaster University Togo Salmon Hall 512 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4M2, Canada (for 2003-2004): Visiting Fellow, Center for Religion and Media, New York University e-mail: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================================== HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
