"Floating Library" EVERYONE PLEASE READ !

Josh Dabney

Josh Dabney

Joined
Nov 23, 2008
Messages
437
Here is my PROBLEM. My desire to learn outpaces my ability to purchase books and videos by about a million to one. I've been thinking of a solution to this dilema for quite some time and here is where I'm at.

I'd like to compile a library of donated materials, Books & DVD's that encompass any and all aspects of knife and sheath making and anything else of value to us

I would keep a list of all available material and an individual sign-up sheet for each piece.

I would also keep a file of each persons address, e-mail, and phone # on hand so that when the time comes I can instruct each person to forward what they have to the next person on the list and be able to contact them in the event that things go missing.

All that will be required of those wishing to participate is accurate contact info and their word as a gentleman or lady that they will cover the postage to forward the material to the next person.

I would also keep a list of who donated what so that in the event that the entire thing went bust for whatever reason every effort could be made to return the material to it's original owner

I could see this becomming quite a large endeavor on my part as the list gets larger and more folks choose to be involved so why am considering this ?

All I expect to get is the knowledge contained in the books and DVD's and retain the right to put my name next in line at my discretion. The other thing is that this would be a huge way for me to "Give Back" to the knifemaking community and share the knowledge of this craft with others even though I'm at the very begining of the knifemakers journey.

This idea is in the planning stage so I'd like to see a post from everyone who would be interested in participating or donating materials, and please include your thoughts and suggestions

It's my sincere hope that enough folks would donate that 1 or 2 item from each person would be more than enough to supply this endeavor with materials. Also I would solicite donations from Authors and Producers of this stuff as it would be a great oppertunity for folks to pre-view their product and decide wheather or not it's worthy of adding to their personal library of info.

Again PLEASE post your thoughts so I can judge if it's worthy of persuing

Thanks for your time- Josh Dabney
 
Hi Josh,

I think your idea is workable (and possibly a great deal of work), and I would help in any way possible.

Dick Stockford
 
Hey Josh,

Sounds good, but making it work might be a challenge. Have you followed the newbie knife thread at all (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=478617)? It started two years ago. If you scroll to the end you'll see they are once again trying to find where the stuff is and why it hasn't been passed on to the next person yet. And, that's with just a few items, not potentially hundreds.

In order for something like what you're talking about to work it seems like we'll all need to be hyper-annal control freaks capable of superb mindfulness and follow through. Unfortunately, that leaves me out. I'm almost always late with my book returns to the local library, and that's with knowing when and where to return them. If I had to keep track of material indefinitely, until someone else wanted it, so I could mail it forward, I might be in trouble.

On-the-other-hand, we (our family) gets the NetFlix discs sent back alright, as they arrive at our place with an pre-addressed, postage paid, return evelope. Of course, that's a paid membership with continued rentals dependent upon returns being made.

Just a few thoughts. All the best, Phil
 
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I've been considering the logistics of this since my first post. It could get completly insane ! Because of this fact is why I was hoping for suggestions. Here are a couple Ideas.
I'll maintain the library and lists- to recieve something mail me a SASE and mail it back to me after ??? 2 weeks ???

Group folks who've signed up ahead of time by region or state. The order would never change so you'ld forward to the same person each time. For example 10 books. 20 people. Every other person would start with something then forward. You'ld have a book for 2 weeks then nothing for 2 weeks then recieve a book the 5th week till you had all 10. After 40 weeks it would end and a new list of people could be generated. Of course in this senerio you'ld have no choice as to what you get but you would end up getting them all eventually.

Scrap the idea, but arrange a list of material and get one person for each thing. Each person would own one thing and forward to the next person at a specific date. If you got 50 items you'ld eventually read or see them all for the cost of one plus postage. This would be the easiest way to go but would greatly limit the # of people who'ld benefit. At $20 to $50 for each thing it would go a long long way toward increasing our collective knowledge. At the end though we could agree to donate our one item to another person not involved the first time around and keep things going.

Just some random thoughts but please add your 2 cents

-Josh
 
Josh

How about considering yourself as the head librarian, you send the book out, the borrower sends directly back to you, paying for the postage both ways for the privilege of gaining the knowledge from the book.

If you sent the book with return postage, you would know up front what to charge for it's usage. The borrower to prepay before receiving. It would cost us users double, but knowing where the book is would out way the cost.
 
Another random thought. The less people involved in each cycle the better. If each person involved contributed 3 things and forwarded on the 1st of each month, then after a year we all would benefit from 36 sources. 12 people get 12 shipping labels and each month stick a label on their envelope and drop it in the mailbox. 1 package sent on the first, another recieved a few days later.

All it would take is to generate a 36 item list and 12 people willing to participate.

With this model it shouldnt be very complicated to keep track of everything or get thing set up. It could easily be copied over and over by endless groups taking responsability for their own group. I'd even expect that members would get to know each other quite well and have no problems keeping up their end of the bargain and keeping each other honest

-Josh
 
One thought I have is that every package shipped would NEED to have delivery confirmation at the minimum. Not necessarily insurance, but delivery confirmation to help prove that the package was at least shipped.
 
Mike,
To a large degree anything such as this is gonna be based on the honor system and there would of course be lost items and individuals who wouldn't keep with the program. It would be a fact of life that would have to be lived with. I do however believe that anyone screwing things up would be facing the embarassment of their actions publicly.
 
I think about a sticky thread here, updated regularly about which item is where, who took a book and when would be tracked by everyone and it would be easy to follow the inventory...
 
...an even simpler suggention might be to just assemble and maintain a list of who has what available for lending and let individules make their own contacts...

Dick
 
I've got Step by Step Knifemaking by David Boye to donate if you get it started.
 
Josh,
Cool idea!:thumbup: If you get this off the ground I have something to donate to your cause.
Mace
 
I would be into donating to the library. I would be into borrowing title(s) that I would request from a published list of titles.

I would not be interested in participating in a circulating rotating reading club, which is what Josh seems to be describing.

A little research might be in order. For instance the California Blacksmith Association maintains a library, as does (I believe) the American Blacksmith Association. It might be good to talk with folks and find out the pros and cons of their systems.
 
Just My 2 cents but,, I've learned ssoooooo much from the forums here and online at other web sites, I rarely buy books anymore. The net is an encyclopedia of knowledge... The 'sticky's' to help someone get started here are priceless, I think there's so many people here who are willing to help it's incredible! I can have another knifemaker tell me in 5 minutes on the phone what it would take me 5 hours to try to find and read in a book...
Just my 2 cents...
-Michael
 
I've followed this thread to see what the prevailing thought was.
I'll give you my take on it, too.

I have a large library of books on metallurgy and knifemaking. Many videos and DVDs,too. I used to loan them to folks all the time, often sending a box of books and videos to a newer smith to learn from. Many of these books cost several hundred dollars, or are unavailable anymore. Most of the folks here are honest and well meaning, but as is often shown in the posts, they get behind in doing things, and plan on mailing things, but they never get to the PO.......
I have pretty much stopped sending out books and such by mail. I loan to anyone who comes to the house or store, and gladly look up information and advise online and by email to many folks....but sending the items means keeping track of them....and that is where the problem lies. There are books out that I don't know who has them. There are books and videos out that I know where they are, but haven't been returned. Most of the last several batches I had out I had to ask for their return many times ( often dozens of times) before I got them back. Some may never return. I wouldn't have lent them if I couldn't deal with their possible loss, but the issues involved have stopped the practice.

I fear the same problems with this rotating library. The principal is OK, but the size and wide spread nature of this forum is going to make a nightmare of keeping up with it. I would take a look at the Newbie knife thread and talk to some of the guys/gals in the pass-around forums before starting such a project. I would plan on loosing about 25% of the books/videos per year.

Stacy
 
Stacy,
I did fear that it may not be a truly feasable project but thought I'd put it out there and see what kind of reaction it got. It doesn't seem to be generating much buzz even with many views but we'll see what else comes of it over the next few days. Thanks alot for your input

-Josh
 
Mike,
Thanks a ton for bringing this back to my attention ! I joined rapidshare for 30 days and downloaded every link. This should keep me busy for awhile !!. The only title I've read is $50 Knife Shop. I may just have to order me some GoMike Wood next month. Sorry for the delay but I blew my material budget at the Blade Show :D
 
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