Do you still use your local library?

MarkD said:
Though I have a Kindle and have a number of books I like to access regularly there, I do use my local library regularly. But I don't hang out there. I figure out what I want to read sometimes by reading articles online or recommendations here or on Goodreads. Then I place holds on what appeals.

The last book I read from my library was the book recommended here, Tell Me Everything, Elizabeth Strout's 2024 Pulitzer winning novel. Yesterday I picked up Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler, another book that was recommended here which I had put a hold on. I read just a bit before drifting off last night but it hasn't set the hook yet. We shall see.
Click to expand...
I'm curious to know what you think of the Anne Tyler, when you get to it.
 

I love, LOVE public libraries. I always say they're the only truly democratic institution that still work! I go about once a week and pick up books I've placed holds on--I read reviews to find out what I want. Since retiring, I read constantly, something I never had time for before.
 
Last edited:
Marcy Sheiner said:
I love, LOVE public libraries. I always say they're the only truly democratic institution that still works! I go about once a week and pick up books I've placed holds on--I read reviews to find out what I want. Since retiring, I read constantly, something I never had time for before.
Click to expand...

That was true for me as well and in my case it also marked the point at which good fiction began to draw me more than non fiction.
 
Eupher said:
But back to the library. Full of chattering, noisy people. What happened to Marion, the Librarian, from the musical The Music Man? She would've shut that chattering down most ricky-tick.
Click to expand...
What happened? Public libraries evolved to serve current needs. They've become vibrant learning centers, rather than old buildings full of books.

My pubic library has a few folks browsing shelves or reading quietly, but those aren't the majority of patrons. It's usually busy with students doing homework after school, oftentimes with the help of volunteer tutors. Adults take advantage of scheduled free legal clinics, income tax preparation assistance, baby & toddler storytimes, book clubs, adult (seated) yoga and chair exercise classes, Tai Chi classes, ESL classes and computer literacy classes, and so much more. Librarians help people fill out forms they find confusing. Various classes and lectures are typically held in conference rooms.

Very few go to the library these days with the sole intention of sitting and reading. Remember that commercial, "It's not your father's Oldsmobile?" Similar story. These are not the libraries of our youth. They're better, so much better. And so much more relevant to today's world.

I'd guess Marion would be thrilled at the changes.
 
No. I haven't been to my library in years. Anything I want to read can be found online. I've thought of going to the library to check out movies, but then I'd have to go back and return them. I'd just as soon buy those for a discounted price at thrift stores so I can watch it again sometime later on.
 
I use the local library for eBooks & read them on my ipad.
So convenient + the books automatically return themselves after 3 weeks.
All this & i never have to even get out of my recliner😂🤣😂
 
StarSong said:
What happened? Public libraries evolved to serve current needs. They've become vibrant learning centers, rather than old buildings full of books.

My pubic library has a few folks browsing shelves or reading quietly, but those aren't the majority of patrons. It's usually busy with students doing homework after school, oftentimes with the help of volunteer tutors. Adults take advantage of scheduled free legal clinics, income tax preparation assistance, baby & toddler storytimes, book clubs, adult (seated) yoga and chair exercise classes, Tai Chi classes, ESL classes and computer literacy classes, and so much more. Librarians help people fill out forms they find confusing. Various classes and lectures are typically held in conference rooms.

Very few go to the library these days with the sole intention of sitting and reading. Remember that commercial, "It's not your father's Oldsmobile?" Similar story. These are not the libraries of our youth. They're better, so much better. And so much more relevant to today's world.

I'd guess Marion would be thrilled at the changes.
Click to expand...
You make a good point. Lots of activity, far removed from my personal comfort zone.

Therefore, I will make it a point to avoid public libraries. No skin off my nose.
 
Eupher said:
You make a good point. Lots of activity, far removed from my personal comfort zone.

Therefore, I will make it a point to avoid public libraries. No skin off my nose.
Click to expand...
Most US public libraries facilitate ordering books or DVDs on line. They'll email you when they come in and you just go to the front desk to pick them up. That's what I do.
 
We use our local library branch, regularly. I order my Large Print books online .. O/H downloads his books to his tablet.

Recently, they found that people were physically removing "censored" books, putting them in the toilet, burning them, etc.

We have the choice of new library cards to express our freedom to read ..
Toronto_Public_Library_Toronto_Public_Library_invites_the_city_t.jpg
 
StarSong said:
Most US public libraries facilitate ordering books or DVDs on line. They'll email you when they come in and you just go to the front desk to pick them up. That's what I do.
Click to expand...
I guess what it comes down to is, I don't need the public library. I have an Amazon Kindle Unlimited account for casual reading and if I really want to read something beyond that that isn't available there, I'll buy it outright.
 
Only to visit the small food pantry they have. It's mostly produce (fruits and veggies) and eggs. Rarely they have cheeses and yogurt. This time of year while quantity is not the issue, but it doesn't have much variety - mostly apples, potatoes and other root veggies (carrots and parsnips), cabbage and onions. In the summer they have a lot more to offer, understandably. I usually get apples every week and potatoes and eggs when needed. Two weeks ago there was one ball of mozzarella cheese and I snatched that. Wednesday afternoon is the best time - I think the food is brought in that morning.
 
The last time I went the stench from all the homeless vagrants and noise from poorly supervised and unsupervised kids made it impossible to "enjoy". This happened three times in a row, three different branches of the libraries in Tucson. They also have security agents sitting at a podium at the entry door of each library in certain parts of town. Two of the three bathrooms were filthy, destroyed.

So very sad because I used to absolutely love going to libraries. I used to enjoy taking my children to libraries and they knew how to behave in one, too. But what mother would take children to a filthy library infested with homeless people?
 
Not as much as I used to, but I just renewed my card the other day for Hoopla and Kanopy. I also intend to visit the newly remodeled branch in my area soon
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top