Probably because nobody reads it at the bookstore. At the library though, that’s by design.
Libraries cannot keep a copy of every book in existence. Not even vast libraries like the British Library or the Library of Congress can attempt that. I would guess that, in the U.S., State and Revolution is not especially widely read, so keeping it on the shelves makes no more sense than the time my librarian wife showed me a weeded book called something like “Getting Along with Jewish Neighbors” from the 1950s. It’s well-meaning, it could teach ignorant people a lot, but no one in the 21st century is going to read it except as a curiosity.
It wasn’t just Lenin. It was recent authors too. Anything vaguely socialist/communist. I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy. I’m sure it has to do with interest. But if I was doing a research paper on that subject, it would be difficult.
I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy.
You did though.
You: This isn’t new, just more obviously in the open. Go to your local library or bookstore and try to find Lenin’s “State and Revolution.” I tried. It’s not in stock. You may find a couple of books critical of capitalism, but that’s it.
Me: Is it banned or just not in circulation because nobody reads it?
You: Probably because nobody reads it at the bookstore. At the library though, that’s by design.
I cited myself and my anecdotal evidence. I went to the library to find books on socialism. Even looked on the database for the county. Their holdings were sparse or nonexistent. But don’t take my word. See for yourself. Maybe in larger urban areas you’ll have more luck. I live near an urban area and was unsuccessful.
You said it was by design as opposed to people just not reading it enough to keep it on the shelves.
Did you speak with the librarian to see about getting some in for you? Were you only looking for old titles instead of something newer? Do you just assume some kind of malice because you didn’t find what you were looking for?
Yeah, libraries have limited shelf space so their inventory is at least partially driven by demand. They generally try to keep a mix of popular and scholarly works on hand. I can guarantee that if you’re looking for a particular book and they don’t have it that they can order it for you, it just might take a little while to be shipped from one of the locations that actually has a copy.
Libraries by me have plenty of shelves but not enough on the shelves. They wind up selling used books to try to make money for the library.
It’s disappointing to go to a library and not see shelves filled and filled with books
