Books on stained glass?

May 21, 2012 9:45 AM

A fine old fellow who did amateur stained glass has passed away, and I would like to purchase memorial book(s) for the local library.

These can be books of examples/history of fine stained glass art or on techniques for making stained glass, or both. Any suggestions on good books suitable as library memorial donations?

posted by tommyD to media & arts (8 answers total)

I learned a lot from the Mt. Tom Studio Artisans' Starting Out in Stained Glass.
posted by ryanshepard at 9:47 AM on May 21, 2012

I would contact the library first. Many of them get so many donations that they have the throw books away. Because they have limited space, books that don't get checked out often get thrown out. Perhaps you could donate the books to a local arts organization that offers classes or even donate money towards lowering the class costs there.

FWIW I think donating memorial books is a lovely idea, if the library can put them to good use.
posted by halseyaa at 10:07 AM on May 21, 2012 [6 favorites]

This is a nice idea. The feasibility depends on your local library and its collection development policies. New acquisitions often need to go through a collection development office that evaluates whether items will meet libraries' needs and requirements before adding them to the collection. At some libraries, donated books don't go automatically into the collection, but rather get donated to a friends organization or similar. I suggest contacting your local library directly to ask how this might work and what their process is. Otherwise, I think halseyaa's idea is a really lovely alternative.
posted by anonnymoose at 10:48 AM on May 21, 2012

In addition to your local library, you might also want to consider an art school or college/university library (someplace where they teach glass art, and would be wanting books on the topic).
posted by mskyle at 10:58 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thanks, folks. I am very familiar with my local library. I really need book suggestions.

Though the college idea is a good one - the man's daughter is a graduate of their arts program, though I don't think they do much glass.
posted by tommyD at 11:38 AM on May 21, 2012

Please contact the local library.
They do have collection development staff that can identify which titles will fill in gaps in that subject area.

This would be contacting them and letting them know that you would like to donate $XXX for books in this area in memory of Fine Old Fellow.

Another alternative might be that they set up a wish list on related books in Amazon.com.

Showing up with the books in hand is much less helpful. There is an inherent cost for libraries to catalog and process anything that walks in the door. If they already have multiple copies that aren't circulating the donation will not be as helpful as you want it to be.
posted by calgirl at 7:03 PM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

Or they may have great titles in bad condition that they would love to replace.
posted by calgirl at 7:07 PM on May 21, 2012

Again, I am very familiar with our local library and its procedures.

I need recommendation for books on stained glass.
posted by tommyD at 4:41 AM on May 22, 2012