I purchased Catherine's book fairly recently, after months and months of searching, so wouldn't need it. I strongly prefer hard copy, so probably would not purchase digital unless it was the only option, fwiw. I really dislike anything other than hard copy books (for instance Interweave is going strongly that way) and tend to ignore, or rarely purchase something and just print out what I need. BTW, some have problems with their magazine forms being printable, but that may be moot and change. Now, to be able to purchase a particular pattern and download and print it is OK, but not my favorite, either. The perk is you can have it instantly, of course. I check AZ, Gutenburg and Antique Library, but the digital forms are off-putting to me. Nice to be able to peruse it though, and I go on looking for the rare copy if I love it.
Inter-Library Loan is fading also, as I have asked for books that used to be available, and they are gone. Librarians say that rules are changing to it staying within the library itself, or country (sometimes Canada won't loan certain things to USA anymore when I have checked on a few items, and probably the converse-I don't know about the other side). This is because dishonesty has increased and people keep them. The library's replacement fee for any lost book is about $25, so people figure that they are getting an OOP book, inexpensively. They say it is lost and perhaps pay nothing, or at worst, $25. What they don't think about, is the hundreds or thousands of people who are short changed the rich experience of that book. I once had a Shetland Lace library book stolen out of the front seat of my car, when I thought my car was locked. Who would have thought that someone interested in a fairly rare technique, would have passed by and done that kind of thing? About 35 years ago, I found an incredible knitting book, full of hundreds of lace and other things for infant to toddler, and bed jackets for the mother. Checked it out several times and the last time, I got a funny feeling and thought I would photocopy the whole book. Decided to check it out again a year or two later, and they said that a woman checked it out and kept it. They knew who it was, she had done it before, but just shrugged their shoulders, saying they could do nothing. I was deeply saddened about all of the people who were short changed an incredible knitting journey with this book. Best, Susan Reishus - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003
