Search and Destroy: CDs from your Local Library

that's great. I should look in my local lib database. i suspect they won't have anything like that.

I read somewhere that The Handsome Family discovered the original vinyl issue of Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music in their local library.

Actually, it was the first American CD pressing of "Perfect Prescription" (White BG, Purple thingys) on Glass (I think). Like the tape I have, It had the 17 min version of Rollercoaster and a version of Starship. Going to the library and ripping to my hard drive saved me from buying one of the expensive b-side collections (since I've been jonesing for a CD quality copy of said Rollercoaster vers.)

YES! halifax and hebden bridge libraries are AMAZING! (todmordens is great too) i don't know who is responsible for getting things in like uzect plaush, air liquide, merzbow, xenakis, and loads of offbeat and unusual things that you can't even buy. julio needs to check these libraries out

also, bradfords wasn't bad. when we were 15 or so, they'd order anything we wanted in, so we got them to get, like, loads of shimmy disc and shit in. cutbacks mean all the vinyl is now gone, but some of the cds remain

islington libraries aren't bad you know. try 'north library', just off holloway road, got the montgolfier brothers cd out there when it was still a quigley release 3 or so years ago, good choice there, very good choice.

golders green library i have never been in, but the sign says "The Library' as though there is only one library in only one town, its like toytown or something. evocative etc etc.

I kept the sticker on it, which I think the Wire boys would like: 'Sutton Libraries: POP RECORD'.

it's not worth making an effort to go to; certainly not for cds. it is open on sunday afternoons, though, which is kinda nice.

Sometimes unexpectedly specialized things will turn up at the library as a result of gifts. If you see something exotic, it may not have been ordered. I've donated a couple Arabic CDs to my library, both of which have been circulating more or less non-stop since they've been made available.

Unfortunately, a lot of stuff gets stolen, often by employees. The library orders a lot more hip-hop than what actually turns up on the shelves. Much of it--possibly most of it--never makes it to the CD bins to be offered to the public on loan. There are always lots of rock, particularly indie rock CDs, sitting around, but usually none I have an interest in hearing.

The classical selection is probably somewhat better, but not really my area of interest. More 20th century classical would be nice.

for some ideas, see this thread

i took this out today from the echo park library!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_Rock_Stars_(album)