Are libraries still relevant?

Use this forum for book and reading discussion that doesn't fall into another category. Talk about books, genres, reading issues, general literature, and any other topic of particular interest to readers. If you want to start a thread about a specific book or a specific series, please do that in the section below this one.
Post Reply
krista0610
Posts: 12
Joined: 08 Jul 2014, 22:36
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-krista0610.html

Re: Are libraries still relevant?

Post by krista0610 »

Libraries are absolutely still relevant! It's access to books you can't afford or can't find anywhere else. They provide internet access to many people. You can spend hours in one and not get dirty looks from anyone because you aren't buying a coffee or a book. And there's just a feeling in library that I don't think you find anywhere else. There's something comforting about them to me.
sherlock_holmes
Posts: 21
Joined: 10 Jul 2014, 12:11
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sherlock-holmes.html

Post by sherlock_holmes »

Libraries are like banks. To be sure, a starting amount of capital is needed to contribute to a library...but in my opinion, they hold riches just as valuable (don't judge this; I'm being nogalistic). After all, if we didn't have knowledge, why would there be any need for banks at all?
This is just a comparison to illustrate the feelings of emotions, but I think it'll do. And keep in mind not everyone is wealthy enough to own a personal device...
User avatar
obiebookworm
Posts: 608
Joined: 23 Oct 2013, 19:44
Favorite Author: J.K. Rowling
Favorite Book: Picture of Dorian Gray
Currently Reading: Sigfried’s Smelly Socks!
Bookshelf Size: 22
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-obiebookworm.html
Latest Review: "The Little Ladybug" by Amelia May
fav_author_id: 1778

Post by obiebookworm »

I would hope so. :-{
Obiebookworm
Latest Review: "The Little Ladybug" by Amelia May
User avatar
Kellie123
Posts: 25
Joined: 10 Jul 2014, 20:48
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kellie123.html

Post by Kellie123 »

I'd really like to think that libraries are still totally relevant. I love going to the library. It's completely relaxing to me. I remember when I was a kid my dad would take my brother and I to the library once a week during summer vacations to get books. I loved it. Now as an adult I haven't been to a library in a while. I'm going to make my way down the local library soon now that I'm thinking about it.
User avatar
Reshmi
Posts: 76
Joined: 08 Jul 2014, 03:30
Favorite Author: Too many to name
Favorite Book: Pride and Prejudice
Currently Reading: Our Lady of Alice Bhatti
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-reshmi.html

Post by Reshmi »

Yes in our part of the world they definitely are although the libraries are not so good and efficient as the ones I have been to in the US. I simply love going to a library and sit in a corner surrounded by books.
User avatar
Lady Sparks
Posts: 6
Joined: 09 Jul 2014, 12:53
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Lady Sparks »

I do believe that libraries are relevant 1)There are so many options in books sometimes it is easy to just go to the library and get lost in all the books. 2) I don't know about anyone else but i have two children and I know that my kids love going to the library. There are tons of summer programs for kids thru the library and that to me is much better then the video games that my kids would love to lose their heads into all day long. 3)My library and some others that I know of offer internet programs that offer downloadable book rentals for free, I as well as my kids use this program all the time.
User avatar
BearMountainBooks
Posts: 36
Joined: 11 Jul 2014, 09:01
Favorite Author: Frank Tuttle
Favorite Book: When Demons Walk -Patricia Briggs
Bookshelf Size: 0
fav_author_id: 13598

Post by BearMountainBooks »

Of course they are! They not only have books, but they have wifi and computers and meeting space and books! And audio and movies! I use Overdrive a lot these days to check out books, but there aren't a lot of books on Overdrive so I still have to make visits to the library to check out the old fashioned way!
WinterCandyMints
Posts: 274
Joined: 16 Oct 2014, 15:34
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-wintercandymints.html

Post by WinterCandyMints »

Of course. They are the readers hang out and hot spots. They have all the books I want to read.
User avatar
Ryan
Posts: 15342
Joined: 08 Sep 2014, 19:11
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 444
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ryan.html

Post by Ryan »

Absolutely! Not everyone can afford to buy new books, so for them the library is a reliable place to get anything they want to read. I've done some voluntary work at a library, and although it's small in a small town it's never empty! It's a place for people to go to read, get some peace and quiet, interact and learn. They're welcoming, friendly and cooperative. You don't need to spend anything either, so you're not under pressure to leave and they also have access to the internet and printing facilities. Libraries also help to keep children interested in reading as they host reading clubs and such, which I know to be very popular in the libraries I've volunteered at.
"Reason is intelligence taking exercise. Imagination is intelligence with an erection" -- Victor Hugo.
User avatar
rssllue
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 50731
Joined: 02 Oct 2014, 01:52
Favorite Author: Ted Dekker
Favorite Book: The Bible
Currently Reading: A Year with C. S. Lewis
Bookshelf Size: 602
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rssllue.html
Latest Review: My Personal Desert Storm by Marcus Johnson
fav_author_id: 2881

Post by rssllue »

In every way they are still relevant. They have had to change with the times, but you can get print and Ebooks as well as computer time there. They might even be more relevant than they ever have been.
~ occupare fati suffocavit

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. ~ Psalms 4:8
Noeld
Posts: 82
Joined: 27 Dec 2014, 20:10
Bookshelf Size: 16
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-noeld.html

Post by Noeld »

I love the library. One of the ones that I belong to even has a small online eBook library where you can borrow books. Even when I was little, I read books very quickly and only once so my mom always took me to the library instead of buying me books. Now, I'm very picky and I tend to quit books if they don't catch my attention in the first few chapters. Due to these reasons, I have a very hard time purchasing any books and that is the main reason why I love the library. I think that they need to stay around despite the fact that more people would rather play video games or whatever than read. My main library has many events, that I don't go to by the way, but they're still there and very cool.
User avatar
KristineNicole
Posts: 158
Joined: 07 Dec 2014, 15:47
Favorite Author: Emily Bronte
Favorite Book: Wuthering Heights
Currently Reading: The Snow Child By Eowym Ivey
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kristinenicole.html
fav_author_id: 2494

Post by KristineNicole »

I believe libraries are still relevant and I'm an avid user of mine. (The library system I use is the biggest in my country, as I'm so close to Toronto.)
It's great, because I can try books and movies before I buy them.
It's also good in the fact that it has a lot of community events. Whether it's free lectures or a book club, there is always something happening.
User avatar
TammyO
Posts: 1373
Joined: 16 Aug 2013, 19:21
Favorite Author: Jane Austen
Favorite Book: Persuasion
Currently Reading: The Husbands Secret
Bookshelf Size: 131
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tammyo.html
Latest Review: "Double Identity" by Jaye C Blakemore
fav_author_id: 2379

Post by TammyO »

Libraries will always be relevant; I for one would hate to see them leave. They have a huge selection of books, magazines, computers as well as internet, large spaces and rooms for any kind of event. The library also teaches various computer classes and other kinds of classes. Also, the reading programs that they offer is absolutely wonderful. In addition to all of those things the library is now moving with technology and offers a wide selection of e books, audiobooks, and digital media. I believe the question is what would millions of people do without the library?
"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense." ~Tom Clancy
Latest Review: "Double Identity" by Jaye C Blakemore
User avatar
DATo
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 6038
Joined: 31 Dec 2011, 07:54
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by DATo »

Apparently so.

The citizens of the county in which I reside APPROVED an increase in tax amounting to $16,000,000, even in these troubled ecconomic times, to renovate several libraries and to build a new one. I have seen the architect's concept drawing of the new library as well as drawings of the expansions and facelifts to the others and they are breathtakingly beautiful.

At least in my own community libraries are apparently still relevant.
“I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed reading accident. I hit a book mark and flew across the room.”
― Steven Wright
User avatar
fifthmayfly
Posts: 70
Joined: 28 Dec 2014, 22:55
Favorite Author: Rick Yancey
Favorite Book: The Hot Zone and Divergent Series
Currently Reading: The Wolf Princess
Bookshelf Size: 2
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-fifthmayfly.html
fav_author_id: 3497

Post by fifthmayfly »

I go to all my local libraries a lot. Although many people prefer to download book on Nooks and Kindles, many other people don't have those devices or can't pay for the books. I love having a physical copy of the book to read, and in addition when I read online it gives me a massive headache from staring at a screen for so long. The day libraries become irrelevant is the day the world ends. :snooty:
Post Reply

Return to “General Book & Reading Discussion”