Do you believe the era of public libraries is over?

fuzzybuddy said:
I'm dyslexic, so reading is chore for me. It dawned on me that I haven't been in a public library in decades. I was wondering if public libraries are passe. You can get books on almost any device, today. And, most reference books are online. Do you think the era of public libraries is over?
As a sideline question:
It's "library"- L-I-B-R -A-R-Y, but do you call it, "libRary" or "libary"
For me, it's 'libary".
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I'll hit the one near me for paperwork instructions to print out. Even though they have promoted books and other events I don't care for, have always supported them at the ballot box.

They still serve a purpose for those without a computer.

Lie-brar-ee for me.
 

This is a local miniature library, in the church grounds.. typical of many pop up ''libraries'' we have here in the villages, because the council in their infinite wisdom has withdrawn the Mobile libraries that used to come around every week...

little-library-HD.jpg
 
Sorry, but I don’t see the need for the traditional public library. Access can easily be provided over the Internet. There is little need for large buildings, and the repetitive storage of expensive material in city after city when the same, or better, can be provided at the state or federal level. The days of physical book, movie, and CD lending should be drawing to a close.
 
Raddragn said:
I haven't been in a library in years. I'm more inclined to buy any book I'm interested in reading. It's even easier now with all of the E Books available and all of the people having printed books for sale.
Here is just one of my bookcases. There are even books in the shelves beyond the doors.
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Many years ago I had a similar wall unit to that one, and it was loaded with books... I don't have any bookshelves any more.. because I keep my books in a cupboard now, because most of them I read once or twice and then donate, so I only have about 6 or 8 Favourite Hardbacks which I keep.. and the rest are on my kindle
 
In my area, libraries are part of a multi-county system. Books and materials are shared and can be borrowed from one site to another. They regularly buy new books although an increasing number of them are electronic format which I really don't like. Within the brick and mortar facilities, computers take up about half of the space.

The main problem with the system is that the large urban facilities and the overall management team for that matter keep trying to steal resources from the rural locations. There was a big blowup last year when the system manager went on a rampage and tried to close some of the rural locations. She ended up losing her job because the patrons weren't having it.

Libraries are not what they once were but at least here the system seems to be responding the needs of the patrons. Sure there are odoriferous individuals occasionally occupying a corner and sleeping the day away but that is simply a feature of life these days.
 
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A very large portion of our (Chicago suburban) property taxes go to our local library. It also networks with other community libraries. It offers an extraordinary variety of traditional and "tech" services. I actively participate in three of their monthly discussion groups. The Lisle Library District is also quite savvy with their P.R.. You'll find signs with their logo reading "We [heart] L.L.D." displayed in front yards throughout our subdivision.

LibRary
 
I love my Li-Brary! We're there about once a week and my book club meets there once a month. They have an entire huge room of large print books, books I could never find in large print in book stores or online.

They will happily send anywhere in Ohio for books for us. Last week I was reading one they had borrowed for me from another library and tucked in the last pages was a check-out slip from 2015 -- with my account number. In other words no one else in Ohio likes that book except me and I love it and know it's waiting for me when I need it.
 
Local officials are more inclined to know what is needed in the area. State/Federal levels have a hard time running things they are responsible for & don't need to mess up local libraries. Knowledge is power & the library gives you that.

Personally, I prefer a real book or magazine to read over my Kindle anytime.

Besides, 1955 has the right idea, what's going to happen when everything goes haywire & you can't access your electronic devices.
 
Not for me! I love libraries and go to the local one 1 day each week. I borrow books, some music and sometimes movies but then nothing can beat the "Gunsmoke" that I own. Don't like Christmas movies so that helps those that want to watch "Miracle on 34th Street" for the 50th year in a row.

By the way, if your eye sight isn't as good as it once was and you love to read, go to your local library and find the section called "Large Print." It's a blessing for seniors. I know I'm a big fan of that section; just wish they had more topics that were nonfiction.
 
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fuzzybuddy said:
I'm dyslexic, so reading is chore for me. It dawned on me that I haven't been in a public library in decades. I was wondering if public libraries are passe. You can get books on almost any device, today. And, most reference books are online. Do you think the era of public libraries is over?
As a sideline question:
It's "library"- L-I-B-R -A-R-Y, but do you call it, "libRary" or "libary"
For me, it's 'libary".
Click to expand...
that MIS-pronunciation has nothing to do with dyslexia.

school i worked at is putting final touches on a BIG renovation. even before destruction/construction started, the library was called the "media center".
 
Our library is right across the street from my apartment building. It is busy all the time. It does more than just lend books. They have classes for a variety of activities for all ages. There is a history room for people searching the history of their families, homes or communities. I don't think it will be ending any time soon. Instead I think they are planning ahead for the future.
 
katlupe said:
Our library is right across the street from my apartment building. It is busy all the time. It does more than just lend books. They have classes for a variety of activities for all ages. There is a history room for people searching the history of their families, homes or communities. I don't think it will be ending any time soon. Instead I think they are planning ahead for the future.
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I would love to live near to our library; I'm 5 miles away now.
 
I for one hope not, but don’t ask me the last time I was there in person. Our library offers many services, displays artwork, sells used books dirt cheap, and has programs and meeting rooms. And there is often a homeless person or two asleep in a chair. Oh, and story time for the littles, which I think is invaluable.
 
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