Endangered Series #27: Encyclopedia Brown

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.

Encyclopedia Brown (series) by Donald Sobol, illustrated by Leonard Shortall

This mystery chapter book series began back in 1963 and continued all the way in 2012 with the 28th book, Encyclopedia Brown and the Soccer Scheme.

The Case for Keeping: I wouldn’t call the mystery chapter book space crowded these days. A lot of older series are still hanging around on shelves. Ditching this series could potentially leave a small hole in the collection for this genre.

The Case for Not: How have these circulated at your school lately? Also, considering the series began in the 60s, it’s safe to say things are a bit dated.

Refresh? This series has seen more cover updates than most, with the most recent refresh taking place in the 2010s:

My Verdict: We pulled our copies a while back and haven’t replaced them. A school library isn’t the Library of Congress!

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

Endangered Series #4: The Baby Sitter’s Club

Endangered Series #5: The Bailey School Kids

Endangered Series #6: Nate the Great

Endangered Series #7: Cam Jansen

Endangered Series #8: The Kids of the Polk Street School

Endangered Series #9: Pony Pals

Endangered Series #10: Little Bill

Endagered Series #11: Animal Ark

Endangered Series #12: Arthur

Endangered Series #13: The English Roses

Endangered Series #14: Marvin Redpost

Endangered Series #15: Little Critter

Endangered Series #16: Spiderwick Chronicles

Endangered Series #17: Junie B. Jones

Endangered Series #18: Magic School Bus

Endangered Series #19: Dear America

Endangered Series #20: The 39 Clues

Endangered Series #21: Dear Dumb Diary

Endangered Series #22: The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley

Endangered Series #23: Horrible Harry

Endangered Series #24: Santa Paws

Endangered Series #25: Amelia’s Notebook

Endangered Series #26: A to Z Mysteries

Filed under: Endangered Series