The local library is way too literal...

[elfs]

Omaha and I took the kids to the library this weekend. While they looked for new books and paying off fines, I wandered into the "science fiction" section to see what they had and what was new. The "what's new" rack at the front of the library is always packed with extruded fantasy, chick lit, paranormal romance and the occasional "modern literature" or, more rarely, "ethnic romance." Those seem to be what the crowd wants these days.

The SF section is "in the back," behind the section labeled just "Fiction," and as I wandered through the fiction section I passed right by Charles Stross and Neal Stephenson. Apparently, they don't write "science fiction." In the back, through, I found two more Stross books in the "science fiction" section.

Apparently in my library, "fantasy" is "fiction," but if it's In Space, it's "science fiction." At least, that seems to be the gist of their decision-making process. Since Stephenson's stuff is all set on Earth, it's "fiction." Ditto for Stross's Merchant's War series (which Stross once described as "science fiction, where the science is economics").

Comments

[urox.livejournal.com]

I've only currently read Cryptonomicon but wouldn't consider that science fiction as there didn't seem to be any advanced science that was fictional about it (usually I think of sci-fi as science that has evolved beyond today's standards).

[fuzzyr.livejournal.com]

And some of the crypto isn't even correct.

[purly.livejournal.com]

At least you have a Science Fiction section. A lot of libraries just mix it in with fiction and you're left to your own devices to find new material to read.

However, I think it's logical not to include fantasy in the science fiction section. A lot of sci fi readers get offended by fantasy. Fantasy readers are more likely to cross over to sci fi than sci fi readers to fantasy.

correction and plug

[edichka2.livejournal.com]

Stephenson's latest, Anathem, is set on a planet called Arbre. (Pronunciation hint is provided early on.)

- E

[laplor.livejournal.com]

My library doesn't separate science fiction out at all. I end up wandering the whole place trying to remember the names of the authors I might want to read. Frankly, that might be a better arrangement than what yours does.

[(Anonymous)]

Personally I've no trouble with fantasy books at all, but it does bug me when they are lumped under "science fiction" or "sci fi". I don't mind it being double barrelled to "fantasy and sci fi" or "sci fi and fantasy", but I feel the distinction is important.