Are Libraries Extinct Like Post Offices

Bighuey · Post by **Bighuey** » 02 Jan 2013, 10:41

Here where I live in Mexico libraries take about anything they can get their hands on. Old shabby books, VHS tapes, anything.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 06 Feb 2013, 09:55

In my city, public libraries are hugely in demand.

They have books, e-books, audio books, DVDs, music CDs, Xbox games, magazines, large print books, a reference section, kids section, interactive displays, storytime, author talks, special interest groups, study rooms, etc, and everything is free. You can borrow 20 items for 28 days. Many libraries have a coffee cart so you can sip and read. Several libraries are open 7 days a week and they have databases, genealogy help, internet and WiFi with better security than fast food chains. One library even loans iPads because they are working with 21st century technology, not against it.

Our universities also have amazingly well-stocked libraries (they believe there's more to research than Google!) and the main University Of Queensland has a library for every faculty.

@ Fran, why our public libraries do not accept books is because an organisation named PeterPal does all the binding, covering and labelling of items and they are delivered in bulk, ready-loaded onto the catalogue. This gets rid of waiting time and current books are on the shelves more quickly. It has been outsourced (like many other things in this world) for some time so it would be an old librarian who still covered and catalogued books by hand.

P.S. Australia Post is thriving! With eBay and internet shopping comes new demand for parcel post!

Ant · Post by **Ant** » 06 Feb 2013, 18:08

I, like many others I know, are regulars at our local library, there is a real community feel about the place, it's very popular and the choice is excellent.
Long live the library

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » 06 Feb 2013, 20:21

Gotta agree with you both (Maud and Ant). Libraries are very special places. It would be a crying shame if there were phased out in the future.

WendyJo67 · Post by **WendyJo67** » 09 Feb 2013, 19:13

Our library here in town is fabulous! They do accept secondhand books. They have an area where they have the books for sale. They even let you "name your price" I have gotten some wonderful books that way and the money goes to the Friends of the Library! They also will take magazines as well. So there have been times when I have taken alot of my books there to donate and the same with my magazines.

Our library has about 10 computers, a wide variety of dvd's, cd's, a great section for children, wonderful selection of magazines, newspapers and books.

Sometimes I will even drive up to my hometown and they, too, operate the same way.

I absolutely love libraries. When I first moved back to Iowa from Wisconsin, I lived at my hometown library every evening and all day Saturday.

ceshiwuhao · Post by **ceshiwuhao** » 28 Feb 2013, 02:40

Absolutely not

Geneen Karstens · Post by **Geneen Karstens** » 01 Mar 2013, 11:35

I have two libraries also. One of them accepts used books that they sell from .50 cents to $1.50. Proceeds go to the library. Also both libraries have a section where you may leave books for anyone to take free. One of them just expanded two years ago and is asking for funds to do it again. 99% of the books I read come from the library. They re not extinct here, however Barnes and Noble is on the way out. It's a sign of the economy, I'm sure. Too bad.

Sine_Ni_Ceallach · Post by **Sine_Ni_Ceallach** » 21 Oct 2013, 22:09

I still use the library quite a bit! They mostly have the books I want to read.

lady_charlie · Post by **lady_charlie** » 22 Oct 2013, 20:46

Our library has a room where they sell second hand books, it is really about as big as the library itself.
There is a really big library in a nearby city that has a virtual warehouse of books it needs to get rid of that they offer for sale cheap.

Have you heard of the "little library"?

I read in the newspaper that people in small communities and neighborhoods are building tiny little stands to hold a few books that anyone from the neighborhood can take or exchange - it really sounds like fun.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 22 Oct 2013, 21:56

I read about a "little library" in an English village in a red telephone box, run on an honesty system.

Libraries and post offices are like any other business, they grow and adapt to change. Or should. In my city they are very much into the 21st century. In fact our local PO just expanded into new premises. The libraries freely offer a vast amount of services including community events and author talks. It's mismanagement which will see a demise or short-sighted thinking like "Google will solve all problems".....hhmm.....

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » 25 Oct 2013, 01:36

Maud Fitch wrote:I read about a "little library" in an English village in a red telephone box, run on an honesty system.

Libraries and post offices are like any other business, they grow and adapt to change. Or should. In my city they are very much into the 21st century. In fact our local PO just expanded into new premises. The libraries freely offer a vast amount of services including community events and author talks. It's mismanagement which will see a demise or short-sighted thinking like "Google will solve all problems".....hhmm.....

SHSSSSShsssss Maud. Don't mention "Google", they are listening. Drats, I just mentioned it as well.

gali · Post by **gali** » 25 Oct 2013, 01:48

I don't think they are. I use the library quite often to pick up books for my kids. Sadly, they don't hold books that I want to read. Thank god for my kindle.

BooksNJoy · Post by **BooksNJoy** » 26 Oct 2013, 03:06

We got a system that looks like the "little libraries". It's a bus that has been rearranged to contain books. It goes in small isolated villages and schools. I don't know if you have to pay or have a card to borrow (maybe a name is all what they ask for).