Popularity comes, popularity goes. As librarians we’re always balancing between what will circulate like crazy and what we need to have in the collection. And we’re not the Library of Congress – we can’t (and shouldn’t) keep everything.

An endangered series is one that appears to be waning in terms of popularity. But popularity isn’t everything. Should it stay, or should it go? Or think of it this way – if you were starting a library today, would this series make the cut? Let’s discuss.

The Baby-Sitter’s Club (original series) by Ann M. Martin

The afterglow of popularity can last a really long time, and I think this is another case of a series that a ton of libraries have on their shelves at this very moment.

The Case for Keeping:

It’s a series that was a hit because it worked. Readers saw themselves in the characters and the situations were well-suited to the audience.

The Case for Not:

While those who grew up on the series have been experiencing serious nostalgia for this original series, kids have not. The look is dated, and that can spell trouble.

Refresh?

In 2010, the first few books in the series we re-released with new covers, along with a new prequel (The Summer Before) under the banner of The Baby-Sitter’s Club: New Generation.

Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters) illustrated the graphic novel versions of the first four Baby-Sitter’s Club books for Graphix.

Now I see they will be re-releasing all of those in full color starting on April 28, 2015. Here’s the new cover for the first one:

My Verdict:

We weeded all paperbacks a couple years ago, and have not updated to the editions with the new covers. We will be adding the color graphic novels as they are released.

How are you handing this series in your library?

Previously…

Endangered Series #1: The Boxcar Children

Endangered Series #2: The Hardy Boys

Endangered Series #3: American Girl