Sukie asked about a few issues dealing with lending libraries and Dr.
Weiss' new video.  I am a librarian by trade and also manage a lending
library for TriFL, our local club for the Triangle region of NC.  I do
plan to obtain a copy of this video for TriFL's library, for several
reasons, all of which have already been mentioned on the FML (non-vets will
benefit from info on symptoms and surgical recovery, and vets can view it
before they buy a copy for their hospitals).  Our club can't afford the
entire cost, but I still think it's important enough that I'll donate it
myself, if that needs to be done.
 
About donating a copy to local public/county/college libraries so as to
bypass the need for clubs/shelters to handle lending library policies and
such: My frame of reference is narrow, as I work in Reference at a large
University library and not in Collection Development or Gifts or
Acquisitions, but my impression is that donating copies of this video will
work beautifully in some cases and not at all in others.  People often
assume that they can give anything to a library, and the library will make
it available to the public - this isn't the case.  Don't get me wrong -
most libraries are underfunded and are *tickled* to get donated
high-quality items.  However, there are lots of costs and other issues
incurred by libraries in accepting donated items.  They may only accept
items in certain subject areas or in certain formats (some libraries may
not be setup to handle video tapes, although most public libraries
certainly can nowadays).  Some libraries do not allow videos to be taken
out of the library, but instead provide viewing areas inside the library.
 
That said, here is my advice on how to donate a copy of this video to a
library and help ensure that it will actually wind up available for use.
First, call or visit the library and get in touch with whoever handles
Gifts; you might also try whoever handles Collection Development in
biology/science/pets.  Do *not* just walk in one day and leave the video
with someone at the circulation or reference desk.  When you have the right
person in front of you or on the phone, explain the video to them and see
if they think they have a place for it.  If they don't seem optimistic, ask
if they know of any other library that might be interested.  When you find
someone willing to take the video, give it to them and ask approximately
when it will be available.  Followup on that date, and search their online
catalog to see if it has been processed and is "findable" via the usual
means of finding other materials in the library, and then actually try to
put your hands on the video.  If the date comes around and the item is not
in the catalog or is otherwise not available, followup with the person you
gave the video to, and be very polite - try to not to present yourself as
an irritated patron.  Perhaps explain that your vet is anxious to check the
video out and ask when they think it will be ready.  Keep following up in a
nice, friendly, interested way.
 
Obligatory librarian nag: And while you're at it, this might be a handy
time to donate a copy of Mary Shefferman's book or some other good basic
care book, if the library doesn't already have something about ferrets for
a broader audience. >:-)
 
Changing gears, awhile back, someone asked about web pages with medical
info or medical links.  I do a page for TriFL at
http://www.trifl.org/medical.html
that divides things up by disease/illness and then gives annotated links
to all the pages I've found that have quality info on that disease.  I find
it very handy sometimes, especially when I'm on a quest to find something
other than the (very fine and very helpful) medical FAQs at Ferret Central
or when a site I usually use is down.  Check it out, and let me know of
things I'm missing.
 
Cheers,
-Pam S.
[Posted in FML issue 2849]