Are libraries still relevant?

[mjholdsworth]

I still love going to the library. Even though I own a Kindle and have access to every book possible, there is still something special about going and physically looking for that perfect book.

[doyle5]

Totally! It would be a sad day when people decide that libraries weren't needed because of modern technology. I don't know about any of you, but I'm still waiting for the day I finally get my version of the Beauty and the beast's library

[MsMartha]

Libraries are not only relevant, they're amazing and necessary and helpful. And it's not just the libraries--it's the librarians. They answer so many questions, and help readers in so many ways--OK, my daughter is a librarian, so maybe I'm a bit biased

For the last few years I've gotten most of the books I've read from the library. Most of them have been audio books, because I like to read while I'm doing other things at the same time. I love walking through the aisles and spotting books that look interesting, and I love being able to reserve a book even if it's not in my most local library. Actually, I've thought more than once that I should have become a librarian myself. Imagining what it must be like to be surrounded by a whole building of books while I'm working--well. there aren't many other things that sound so wonderful to me!

[J+R]

I think they are. Even though I do buy some Ebooks - mostly for travel - I do love to underline and make margin notes in books. I love to walk around in the stacks. I love going to look for one book and enjoy looking at the others on the shelf around it. I love the whole world of reading and other visual texts as well.
Someone mentioned a recent all-digital only library. While I can accept that things are changing, I wonder about all the people who cannot afford a computer or digital equipment. It's whats happening with newspapers as well. As more go online and small town newspapers go out of business, what happens to this group of people - both economic class and age.

[doyle5]

I think everyone is in agreement that libraries are not just relevant, but very much wanted.

[Nevada Robertson]

I go to my library whenever I can. I couldn't buy new books but I was desperate to read so I decided to go. Now I get 5 books at a time and I'm always reading.

[Annatasia]

That, my friend is an absurd question. *shakes head* Even the notion!
I have a nook and paperbacks and hardcovers. I do not have a preference because I like both.

[DarkestbeforeDawn]

I think libraries are still relevant. Not a lot of people can afford to buy every book they want to read. And I personally don't want to commit money to a book that I may or may not like. If I had, I definitely would have wasted a lot of money. The library may struggle to survive, but I think it is a necessity.

[enemyoftheday]

i still visit my library when i get a chance. i think the real question is if librarians are still relevant. theres a lot of self checkout stations

[Kaitlyn12]

I think libraries are awesome because you can go and get books for free if you can't afford to buy the books. I would still go to the library if I hadn't read pretty much everything they have..

[tortoise keeper]

I don't go to my library that often, but I get most of my books there thru their e-services. There is still something special though about walking into a library and browsing through stacks of books knowing that
I can take one of them home if I want too. My local library provides free computer use, reading programs, and children's services. There are a lot of lower income people in my area that would not have access to these services any other way.

[Delilah13]

I think that libraries will always be relevant. They keep trying to change and adapt as well

[Shadowplay]

Yes, of course libraries are still relevant. They'll always be relevant for many of the reasons other posters pointed out. For me, I like the fact that I can discover new books or authors I've never heard about or would hear about because they're not reviewed often or at all. Just by browsing, I can get access to a whole new world of reading and I love that.

[Ama Idim]

Yes... Libraries are relevant but there's none around me here. I can't afford to get all the books I want l, having a library will be nice.

[V-20]

Yes, I think it is still relevant. No matter how much we are into gadgets or advanced in technology, I believe it is important to still have a library.