Are Libraries Extinct Like Post Offices

Lazola Pambo · Post by **Lazola Pambo** » 24 Dec 2012, 11:09

Libraries all over the world are like monarchies.
They have been around for ages-similar to the post box,and
these mediums are surely not dying out.

Of course we live in a cyber space world-full of iphones and
Kindles but realistically they are no match for the Centurions.
Libraries and the Post box are trades which are not hazardous but
Generally they give everyone an excellent service platform.

Lazola Pambo

MelMariah · Post by **MelMariah** » 24 Dec 2012, 20:15

My local library is shocking with stock, they have NOTHING!
Extremely limited and same goes for all the libraries around the shire, to me they are partially dead.
I just buy my books now, welcoming the hoarders lifestyle.

clintessential · Post by **clintessential** » 25 Dec 2012, 15:46

Not where I live. There were 8 Borders Bookstores here and they all closed. The largest bookstore here is Barnes &
Noble. There are 32 Public Libraries here and the two that I go to are always busy. They
have a good inventory of books and I've only had to wait to check out a book once in the last
5 years. Libraries are in good shape here.

Carla Hurst-Chandler · Post by **Carla Hurst-Chandler** » 30 Dec 2012, 08:23

Absolutely not. Our library stays very active and used by the community

StephenKingman · Post by **StephenKingman** » 30 Dec 2012, 08:27

Libraries these days are rarely just "book" only- most of them have kids activities or art exhibitions on the side not only to keep the promotion of libraries going but to get extra income as a lot of them are suffering from the eBook sales and inevitably the usage of libraries has decreased of late. On the plus side they have an in bulit market of elderly people reading the newspapers and of course kids who want to use the internet during lunch.

Eigon · Post by **Eigon** » 30 Dec 2012, 14:23

Libraries are still essential to local communities. They are a place where people who cannot afford their own computer can go online for free (here in the UK, anyway). Kids can do homework, older people can read daily papers as well as the core function of borrowing books. Often, when local authorities want to save money, they see libraries as an easy target for cuts, and that's why the stock of books is often poor. Some communities in the UK are fighting their local authorities now to keep libraries open, to give their kids a chance to read and have access to books that they would be otherwise unable to afford.

clintessential · Post by **clintessential** » 30 Dec 2012, 14:53

Support Your Local Libraries!!!
I'm involved with two causes in my community. The libraries and NPR. When either needs, I give.
I only voted this time so I could vote for The Library Proposition which would give the management of the
6 of the Public Libraries to my township. The proposition guarantees funding by the County remain the same,
but since management is now ceded to the township, the township can authorize taxes or any resource it wants
to increase the Libraries budget. And it passed!!!! Non-readers are in retreat!!!!!!!!The Six Libraries in my township
are doing just fine.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 30 Dec 2012, 18:45

My local library is busier than ever, a symptom of recession I think.
What I do not understand is they will not accept secondhand books, even if they are in pristine condition. I cannot understand the reasoning behind this policy but I guess their loss is a gain for Oxfam and other charity shops.

Bot · Post by **Bot** » 31 Dec 2012, 03:45

My village library is small but well stocked and I can order books from other libraries in my local authority area. I guess every third book that I read is borrowed from my library.

BooksNJoy · Post by **BooksNJoy** » 31 Dec 2012, 05:29

In town we have 3 libraries, one of them has been renovated because before being a library it was a covent. The new activity allowed the monument a new life. In big cities most of libraries are a network so you may have one or several for a city working together (each library got it's own specificity) and provide children activites related with culture. For adults it provides debates, old movies screening, authors meeting with autographs. So our libraries are not dead, not already!

Eigon · Post by **Eigon** » 31 Dec 2012, 12:10

There's a good reason that libraries do not accept second hand books, Fran. If they did, they'd be swamped with books that they have no storage space for, and would have to find ways of disposing of. I work in a second hand bookshop, and it's a sad fact that we have to refuse a lot of books which are unsaleable now (though they were wildly popular when first printed), and which we would have to send for pulping, which costs us money.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 31 Dec 2012, 12:54

I listened to an interesting discussion on this topic today on radio .... apparently the next development book wise is that the paperback book will become extinct but that the hardback book will include an code enabling you to download an electronic copy of the book. (One contributor even mentioned her friends buying the e-book version & then if they liked the book going out and buying the hardback version to keep on their shelf, I think we have a few forum members doing that too.)

I was also pleased to hear it said that even though the big bookstore retailers are feeling the winds of change that the future is bright for small, local, community type bookstores that are unique, individual & focused on what their customers are interested in. I, for one, have no regrets about the demise of the big, corporate bookstores, all clones of each other & all promoting exactly the same books or authors (other than the loss of jobs, of course I don't wish that on anyone).

A24 · Post by **A24** » 02 Jan 2013, 09:33

I belong to two library systems. I'm very thankful that the one is located inside of the community center which also houses a gym, local cafe, museum, and the aquatic center where my girls swim. I'm in that library all the time and it is always busy. I admit I don't get quite as many books as I used to now that I have my Kindle and prefer it, but I do try to alternate between borrowed books and Kindle books. The library does have an awesome collection of audiobooks which I'm always borrowing.
I hope the libraries don't go by the wayside - I have always loved going since I was a small child. Now, my children are always going too.

Bighuey · Post by **Bighuey** » 02 Jan 2013, 10:02

Fran wrote:My local library is busier than ever, a symptom of recession I think.
What I do not understand is they will not accept secondhand books, even if they are in pristine condition. I cannot understand the reasoning behind this policy but I guess their loss is a gain for Oxfam and other charity shops.

I ran into that same thing too, Fran. I tried to give some books to a library at one time and they wouldnt take them. They were in good condition too. They said people have left books by their door and they just throw them in the garbage. I dont understand it. There was a bookstore in Utah that would take old books that wernt in too good of condition and give them to the prison. Libraries could take a lesson from that.

BooksNJoy · Post by **BooksNJoy** » 02 Jan 2013, 10:32

We can't give our libraries secondhand books either.
I worked 4 months in a library (student job), and I noticed they ordered books only when those are popular.
For instance, the new Le Clézio is always ordered, but when you're connected to your online account saying you would like them to order a book of philisophy, your request is ignored (even when you give all the details on the book).
Reason: If no one would read it, then they don't order it.
About secondhand once they told me the book has to come from the publisher and when it's no longer able to be borrowed, they sent it back to the publisher to be provided a new one.
I don't know if they work the same way where you live.