I think the issue here is not that Jews don't buy many books, but that we are only a small percentage of the population of the US. I believe that I read somewhere that the largest block of book buying in this country is "Christian books". This includes not only Bible stories and all kinds of inspirational type literature but a vast genre of Christian fiction. Since Christians are the majority population in the U.S., the sheer numbers of these books is very high. If you have travelled much in the rural areas of this country, you will find in Shopping Malls, Christian or Bible Bookstores. I have been in these bookstores to see what kind of Bible stories for children are available and been amazed at the the sheer numbers of books that I had no idea existed. A major summer activity in these rural area is the " Summer Bible camp" where these books are also featured. You will not find these books on the New York Times Bestseller lists, but I have come across catalogs from Ingram listing this genre.
So that may be the basis for the statement about Jews and Book buying. Helene Tuchman, Librarian The Rabbi Marshall R. Lifson Library Temple Emanuel of Newton 385 Ward Street Newton Centre, MA 02459 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
