Our DVD Donation campaign: help put the DVD in a Library near you

[chaya]

FYI...

At www.lib.utexas/edu/ you can print detailed maps of virtually any place in the world - for free.

I printed a good detailed map of KS that shows all the counties plus the county seats, info that will help me focus my calls.

[gattaca]

... I didn't know we were also giving away copies of the Proulx book. I like your progression. Quite frankly, I wasn't expecting those responses right off the bat.  I'll be better prepared now - I'm ready to jump back into the fray!   

Hi Chaya, Pete, CactusGal and other:  Yeah I received a "negative" response my first offer - but not because of the materials- but because of their operating policies.  But I kept trying and my second offer was gladly accepted.   I'd had mostly positive responses since then, except 1 and I may retry that region at another member library b/c I've learned that most member libs have their OWN policies regarding collections - even regional ones - except when the operate as a single group.

After thinking about those first few conversations and how they progressed, I developed the outline of the approach I started using which I posted earlier. 

As for the book, I've funded the donations I've called about personally, so I felt free to offer them the option of the hardbound book and two have taken that route.  I felt at least having access to one of the books (hardbound) (Brokeback Mountain or Close Range: Wyoming Stories) was as critical as the DVD, especially when the DVD was not accepted and they had no copies of either work.   My position is that while most libs may not have a DVD collection or may have non-"R" policies, or may not stock movies available via NetFlix or Blockbusteretc.., few are likely to object to "printed" materials by a well known author.... 

I think our team's official position is to keep it simple by offering the BBM DVD, so before you offer the book using funds from this project, check w/ Pete and the others here to be sure.  Privately, if you self-fund, you can offer them the option as I have.

BTW costwise from amazon, (hardbound) here's the info:
 
Brokeback Mountain : Now a Major Motion Picture, Annie Proulx (hardbound) is -->  $9.72
Close Range: Wyoming Stories (hardbound) is --> $15.75

So right in line, cheaper actually, than the DVD.

Thanks, Vincent

[exlibris]

Wow, is Kansas a scary state!

I called two tiny rural libraries, they both stated in a Lureenish fashion that BBM is not the kind of movie that their patrons would be interested in, and they are not interested. "We're in a very rural area, you know."  Ummm, yeah, sort of like the setting of the movie?  One of them even said, "We're a very small library, we don't have much space for something no one will be interested in."  I dunno, my dvd doesn't seem THAT big...

Next I called one of the 7 regional library directors, asked her if she could help me out. She stated (also very Lureenish) that every library has the right to choose what it will or will not accept. I then asked her if she could tell me which libraries on my extensive list were mid-sized ones, which might be more likely to accept a copy. She stated that she does not share that info with solicitors (!!) I politely reminded her that I was not soliciting anything, I wanted to offer a donation. She said it doesn't matter, she won't give me that info.

The only helpful person I spoke to was a very nice reference librarian who works at the U. of KS - Manhattan library, gave me the info about the regional lib. directors. He also said he has a copy of it at home, hasn't seen it yet. Definite future forum member. 

I propose for our next project: rent a van, load it up with dvds, drive slowly through the Kansas countryside and towns with one of those speakers mounted on the roof, and announce to everyone that the BBM dvds have arrived. Then we'll toss them out into the eager crowds, to all those in need. 

Haven't given up - in fact they've sort of pissed me off, and that anger is my springboard to further action!
Will keep you posted.

I'm sorry you encountered such negative reactions. I'll keep to myself what I think of their comments. Could you though send me the names of the libraries who refused donations?  We keep a list of them on the Master List too so people won't try to donate to a library that has already refused a donation.

Thanks,
Exlibris

[DCLuke]

I have contacted more than one hundred libraries in Alaska, California, Utah, and West Virginia to see if they will accept a donation.  Many of the libraries do not respond to my e-mails, but those that have responded have been uniformly polite.  Here are some comments that I have received from librarians:

Alaska

We'd be honored to receive a copy of Brokeback Mountain.  We currently have one on order with Amazon but another copy will be just great.  That
was one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen! Thank you for including Chukchi Library in your campaign.  It is important!

Yes!!!  That would be awesome!  We would love to have a copy of Brokeback mountain.  We have the short story in our collection so having the film would be a nice addition especially on DVD as we are trying to increase our DVD collection.



California

Thank you for remembering us

We need more people like you in this world!

You might be interested in knowing we purchased several copies of the short story and music of Brokeback Mountain, and they have been very popular.  Oh, and
like you, I think it truly was a magnificant film!


Utah

Yes, thanks! We'd like a copy on DVD.  Congrats on the film's popularity.


West Virginia

I'm sure our patrons will be very happy to have such a wonderful movie at their disposal!

Yes, we would be happy to accept a copy of the DVD, Brokeback Mountain. I have seen the movie and think it will be a good addition to our collection.

Yes, my library would be interested in receiving a donated copy of Brokeback Mountain.  I have had patrons ask and I think it would be an valuable asset to our collection.

We would be delighted to receive a copy of the DVD.  I've been meaning to buy it, but library budgets being what they are.  We will put a bookplate on it.  I haven't seen the film yet, but am looking forward to it.

[peteinportland]

Thanks for sharing. Those are great comments and nice to hear.

Pete

[DanRWentzelJr]

For those who haven't followed the story of Adam Sutton, a gay cowboy in Australia, and friend of Heath's,

He was profiled in a really touching article in the Sydney Morning Herald.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts/meet-heaths-mate-the-real-gay-cowboy/2006/03/03/1141191845952.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Here's a link to the transcript of a television interview with him.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2006/s1623148.htm

"Rural homophobia" is not unique to the Americas, of course.

While Canada has gay marriage and Britain has Civil Partnerships and New Zealand has Civil Unions.  Even Ireland may move on this soon.

Australia has a homophobic prime minister and Australia has it's own version of "DOMA".

Australia also has a huge cowboy culture.  Heath was able to draw inspiration from his real life experiences.

I'm sure there are lots of real life Ennis/Jack's there too who can identify.

Perhaps a few rural libraries there might accept a donation, but I'm not sure how an American would contribute to that.

Does this board have any Australian members?

[NWWaguy]

Great thoughts, Dan.  But, let's be sure we get the right regional coding if we do donate.

Amazon.uk provides the regional codings here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/502554/203-4942776-3495109

[happycamper]

My third DVD ended up going to Syracuse Public Library in Syracuse, NE rather than to a library in Iowa.

[CactusGal]

Great thoughts, Dan.  But, let's be sure we get the right regional coding if we do donate.

Amazon.uk provides the regional codings here:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/502554/203-4942776-3495109

Hi Guys -- I'm not sure our budget will allow for shipping to Australia -- would have to check on that -- but we sure would welcome some Australian members donating there; in fact, we'd love to see some participation outside the US/Canada.  Seems to me there's got to be some Jacks and Ennis in places besides the US -- how 'bout it, non-US members?  Would the film be just as valuable in non-US libraries as it's thought to be in the USA?  Jan

[chaya]

Whoo hoo! Finally hit pay dirt.

Finney County Public Library, Garden City KS, population 28,500 wants the dvd!

It's located waaaaay out in western KS.

[happycamper]

chaya, good work! Isn't it a great feeling?

[Wheatfields]

Round of applause for chaya!
KS sounds like a scary state! Maybe we should donate more than one copy of the DVD to the KS libraries that accept the donation so more copies will be available to people who are interested.   

[DCLuke]

Congratulations, Chaya!  KS is tough, but every victory helps. 

[peteinportland]

Yeah Chaya. Go Kansas!

[chaya]

Thx everybody for the cheering section, you're sweet! 

So far: 1 Yes, 1 Maybe, 2 Nos because they have it already, 2 polite Nos, 5 icy Nos.

More phone calls, more adventures ahead!

I'm sitting here at my computer, wearing my hard hat and flak jacket....UNDETERRED!!!