Visiting libraries?

victorian.noire · Post by **victorian.noire** » 05 Dec 2009, 21:12

Bowlie wrote:
sweetharleygirl wrote:I'm glad to see that so many people still visit their local library, but the post above sadens me. Although internet libraries are more convient and easier to access, a decline in patron usage means a decline in funds from the state for a library, which means a decline in book budge alotment. .
I don't see what the problem is with e-books. I own a Sony Reader and really enjoy it. Some libraries are even starting to offer downloads for E-Readers. I read a lot of paper books too. I usually buy my books rather than going to the library, but I do occasionally go to the library. I don't understand people's hatred of the e-book format. It's the same content as a book made of paper.

I am totally the devils advocate on e-readers. I understand that they are very environmentally friendly, saving hundreds of trees used for paper, so i can see where, in the future, and even now, they could be a good thing...but is curling up with the hum of technology really the same as curling up with a good book. i mean really the smell of an old, well-loved book is like nothing else, not to mention on the dog-eared pages.

it really boils down to nostalgia though, i think. i mean look at the people who still buy records rather then cds...or even downloading music. people do, and will always, love a classic.

and i am an avid library attendee. i go probably once a wekk and check out all kinds of stuff. i was extremely upset to hear that our city library society was cut 135,000$ this year. sad stuff

morebooks4me · Post by **morebooks4me** » 29 Dec 2009, 16:01

I love visiting local libraries and buying their used books. Paperbacks for $.10 and Hardcover for $.25. I don't feel guilty about it because:

1) The money that they raise from selling the books is used to support the library and it's programs such as helping low income children learn to read.
2) If we all bought our books brand new, a book would only be read one time and then tossed in the trash. That would be such a waste!
3) I am poor and if I had to only buy new books from the bookstore I wouldn't be able to afford to read.

Moe · Post by **Moe** » 29 Dec 2009, 19:16

The Mythwriter wrote:I love both libraries and bookstores. My only issue is for some reason, I really want to own any book I read, even if I hated it, I want to own and keep it. I haven't even gotten rid of any books I hated. So I don't go to libraries as much anymore...

I'm the exact opposite. I don't own any books I get them all from the Library. I just don't have the room and I love knowing the books are just down the road in the library.

Any book that I can't get from the Library I will purchase then donate to the library. I am a bookless book lover.

I just took out Zoli by Colum McCann, I accidentally dropped the book in a muddy slush puddle and ruined it. It has water damage and dirt smudges all over it. I'm going to have to buy the library a new copy. No problem, this stuff happens. The library has saved me thousands of dollars.

awelker · Post by **awelker** » 29 Dec 2009, 23:48

i used to go to the library weekly when i was in high school. Now that i am in college i cant even find the time to read for some of my classes. sometimes there just isn't enough hours in the day

elieen · Post by **elieen** » 01 Jan 2012, 21:49

I just love the plot twist at the end! Makes you want to go back and read it again.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 01 Jan 2012, 22:45

development wrote:I was just wondering if many of you here still visit your local libraries? My mom was our town's librarian for many years and some of my fondest memories are of going there and just roaming the aisles, checking out all of the great books. I loved being there.

Over the years, I've had an on-again off-again love affair with my local library but suffice to say I will never leave it.
It satisfies my literary cravings on so many levels!

In Kate Atkinson's novel "One Good Turn", ex-policeman Jackson Brodie is in a bookstore and: "He had expected someone to come up to him in the coffee shop and ask him with a sarcastic sneer if he was intending to buy the book or just sit there all day and read it for free....."

In a public library, you can sit there all day reading free books!

RuqeeD · Post by **RuqeeD** » 02 Jan 2012, 15:20

Maud Fitch wrote: In Kate Atkinson's novel "One Good Turn", ex-policeman Jackson Brodie is in a bookstore and: "He had expected someone to come up to him in the coffee shop and ask him with a sarcastic sneer if he was intending to buy the book or just sit there all day and read it for free....."

In a public library, you can sit there all day reading free books!

I've experienced on occasions when I've gone into a book shop and I pick up a book to maybe just skim through it, check the blurb whatever and an assistant comes up to me all snooty and states these books are for buying not reading.....What???!

So yeah, I am much more comfortable in a library. Any books I buy, I buy online and just a couple of bookstores where the assistants are friendly and just as passionate about books as I am.

love_aud · Post by **love_aud** » 03 Jan 2012, 16:37

I love libraries so much! I used to go to my old town library all the time. But there was a horrible flood in '08 and so it was moved to the other side of town, in a mall. So, I never got down there enough to go.

I just moved to PA and have no idea where the closet library to me is. There are a lot of thrift stores though and so I go there instead for cheap old books.

Betty Haynes 813 · Post by **Betty Haynes 813** » 04 Jan 2012, 19:05

I think libraries are wonderful. It is where i get all of the books I read. I thunk libraries are a great way for all people to be able to enjoy books.
If I do receive books as a gift I will often donate them to the library after I read them. It is a great was to share your love of reading and your books with others.

whybark · Post by **whybark** » 13 Oct 2013, 01:46

I don't like to, its always so quite and I feel so loud

gabgobblr · Post by **gabgobblr** » 16 Oct 2013, 11:27

shubh wrote:With the increasing access to internet, use and the habit of vesting local libraries is decreasing fast. Today, online libraries are being preferred because these are convenient and can be accessed from anywhere and any time.

My local library has a site where you can either put items on hold from any other branch, or borrow a ebook straight from the web. I usually use the hold feature because I prefer my books in paper.

Carla Hurst-Chandler · Post by **Carla Hurst-Chandler** » 18 Oct 2013, 06:42

I use the local library a great deal. My friends refer it it as "my office"...lol

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 09 Nov 2013, 01:31

Carla Hurst-Chandler wrote:I use the local library a great deal. My friends refer it it as "my office"...lol

Nice one, Carla!

A mystery in my local library; there are three men of varying ages and one senior woman. They meet in the library early, collect the daily newspapers, fire up their laptops, switch on their mobiles (cells) and settle in for the day. I've been reliably informed that they are not related, take turns to mind each others gear when a pitstop is needed, break for lunch and resume one hour later until closing time. What do they do? The gossip (judging by what has been spied on their screens) is that they play the stock exchange. Could be the foundations of a novel! Comfy chairs, air-con, reading material, WiFi and office space all provided free.

Also, I had to laugh at the outdated comments posted on this thread in 2009. Lending libraries are vibrant and thriving in my city, very much into 21st century technology, while retaining full customer service.

gali · Post by **gali** » 09 Nov 2013, 01:35

I love visiting local libraries. Since I got my kindle I don't go much to our local library. When I go, I just pick up books for my kids. The English books collection isn't great there.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 09 Nov 2013, 02:01

gali wrote:I love visiting local libraries. Since I got my kindle I don't go much to our local library. When I go, I just pick up books for my kids. The English books collection isn't great there.

I don't know where your library is located, gali, but I'd like to mention two things. My local library offers the latest eBooks free so I don't pay for them anymore. I can request books, magazines, DVDs, etc, for the collection because
a public library is driven by public demand. Make a suggestion and see what happens.