Is The Local Library Nearing It's End?

Speaking for our library, the computer cubicles are always busy... no vacancy, and there is always people sitting reading something or another.
 

Aunt Marg said:
Good Saturday to you, Needshave! :)

So great to see you! Hope you're doing well, staying safe and healthy, and too, staying out of trouble. LOL! You know, with Christmas and all right around the corner, got to be a good little boy for Santa. :)

At least that's what I always told my boys. LOL!

Love the sounds of the library bar, and the excuse one can use in the event they wanted to drop in and do a little reading! ROFL!
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It's an interesting visit, the walls are covered with text type wall paper in numerous languages, various books are every where and the bar support are ceramic books stacked haphazardly as if to support the bar. Placemats are "help wanted" sections of the local newspapers.(may be a message there... Hard Liquor is in the reference section of the Bar.

Currently I'm reading my great grandfathers journal. It is such an interesting read. SO much history and I have learned so much about him, the area and life in the 1800's. I found the journals (8) in the attic of his house. I cherish them.

Good to hear from you.
 
needshave said:
It's an interesting visit, the walls are covered with text type wall paper in numerous languages, various books are every where and the bar support are ceramic books stacked haphazardly as if to support the bar. Placemats are "help wanted" sections of the local newspapers.(may be a message there... Hard Liquor is in the reference section of the Bar.

Currently I'm reading my great grandfathers journal. It is such an interesting read. SO much history and I have learned so much about him, the area and life in the 1800's. I found the journals (8) in the attic of his house. I cherish them.

Good to hear from you.
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Sounds so delightful and inviting, and just love the sounds of your great grandfathers journals! Wow! What a find!

Thank you Needshave, for being such a sweetheart. :)
 

I have a large selection of local history books that I use for research but I rarely buy books or read anymore due to issues with my vision and my attention span.

Our large main library is mostly used for serious research using old newspaper clippings, rare book collections, etc... and as a place for homeless men and teenagers to hang out, stay warm/cool, use the computers, bathrooms, etc...

The library has been talking about disposing of the rare book collection to raise money that could be used to benefit a wider group of people.

I would not be surprised to see the library go totally online in my lifetime.
 
Library in Kaufman Texas, a town of 5k, which was lucky enough to get the Feds to build a huge library, about 20,000 feet.
However, the Feds would not purchase any books. There this large building set for 6 years with appox 4000 books.
City Council had a book drive, they now have around 6,000 books (a guess) PC's, and tables and chairs in a separate wing for
meetings of civic group. Fancy-dancy for a small town.

Met a delightful lady there, she had a notebook, listing the books and authors she had read. "I get tired of the book sellers reprinting old books with fancy covers and changing the title. Plus, I've read so many books, sometimes I forget."
An intriguing lady, a intriguing conversation, love to find another addicted to books.
 
I have access to library where I live and also neighbouring Toronto which has a HUGE selection. I enter the title into both libraries if they both have it as some books take me longer to read and I can continue with the other library's book. I buy books that I want to keep either through Indigo/Chapters or amazon. I also visit used book places and pick some up there. Sigh...someday I will do e-books at the library but it is too complicated for me and I would rather have a book in my hand. I don't know what I would do if there were no paper books...CRY!!!
 
I went to our library a few times but I quit going. Between the hateful homeless people in there and the damned bed bugs they bring with them I decided not to go in unless I had to. They're closed right now anyway cuz of COVID. I prefer to read actual books.
 
I read only traditional books. Bought new or thrift store finds. I like holding a book and haven't tried e-books yet. I'm not totally adverse to the idea. I sometimes read a book fast and sometimes slow so I like to have the book to take the time if I need it.

I do hope though that libraries never go away. They are important.
 
officerripley said:
The homeless that used to hang out in our library before Lockdown never bothered me and I used to volunteer there. They were always polite and friendly even (heck, friendlier than the non-homeless a lot of the time).
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I'm glad your experience has been good. Our library has been closed numerous times because the bedbugs were so bad they were in the books. I'm not bringing anything home from there.
 
I live in a Senior apt. complex with a large well-stocked library for all tenants ... It just happens to be in my building, and on my floor too.
So whenever I get the urge to read something, I take a walk down the hall and check things out.
You can take as many books as you want, and there is no sign out process. Just read, and return at your leisure.
Several computers are there also for anyone to use if needed.
 
Bonnie said:
I live in a Senior apt. complex with a large well-stocked library for all tenants ... It just happens to be in my building, and on my floor too.
So whenever I get the urge to read something, I take a walk down the hall and check things out.
You can take as many books as you want, and there is no sign out process. Just read, and return at your leisure.
Several computers are there also for anyone to use if needed.
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That sounds really nice; I'd love to live somewhere like that.
 
Oh, the library not being opened (or at least the stacks off-limits) has been one of the hardest things for me about the pandemic. The library was like an oasis to me.... One of life's greatest pleasures is strolling through the book cases, browsing the titles and enjoying the peace and solitude. I miss it so....
 
I really hope not. I got my first library card as soon as I was old enough to walk there and back alone, and it was a very important part of my life growing up. As an adult, I also spent a lot of time at the library. I love to read, and I liked the atmosphere there and the sense of possibility. I could learn anything!

I have to use audiobooks now. I get 3 at a time in the mail from a lending library that serves the vision impaired, and I buy others on Audible. I really miss physically going to a library, and I'd hate to see kids deprived of that experience.
 
Sunny said:
I think the days of reference books are over. Our ability to google, or even just to ask out loud, and get an instant answer about anything, has removed the need for books such as encyclopedias. Even how-to manuals seem obsolete to me. Want to know how to run any appliance? Just google your question. And thanks to my Alexa, if I want to know who is the president of France, for instance, no need to look it up anyway. I just have to say, "Alexa, who is the president of France?" or "Who wrote Hamlet?" or "Play Beethoven's 5th Symphony," and I get an instant answer. Makes me pretty lazy.

But the libraries may fill a need, for a kind of Command Central for all the electronics. I think books in print will become quaint relics.

I'm reading a print book right now, just for a change. It feels strange. But it's about Shakespeare, so it felt appropriate.
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I think you are right about print books, and it makes me sad. All my life I've loved books and been an avid reader.
 
asp3 said:
The book is downloaded to your device and stays on it for you to access as long as you have your device. I think you can change to a different device if your device is lost or stolen, but I don't know that for sure.

The e-books I know of are only for the person who buys them.

In addition to books you buy some sites have free books from time to time. I'm a science fiction fan and Tor.com has a monthly free book. Sometimes it's a novella rather than a book but I've enjoyed several of their free books. You have to go through a different process to get those on your Kindle or into your Kindle app, but it's a relatively simple process.
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So does your device have to have a huge hard drive to store all those books? Seems like it would fill up pretty fast?

Not trying to be difficult, I just don't understand.
 
Butterfly said:
So does your device have to have a huge hard drive to store all those books? Seems like it would fill up pretty fast?

Not trying to be difficult, I just don't understand.
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I'm very happy to help and don't think you're being at all difficult.

Text book files are rather small. If the book has a lot of pictures it can be a lot bigger. This question on Amazon.com says that an 8 GB Kindle can hold about 6000 books.

https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx151VE5G97J9TI
 
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I've long been a regular library patron, donor, and one who votes in support of public funds being directed toward libraries.

The Los Angeles Public Library has been providing online ordering for several months now. I choose books and DVDs from its vast catalog, select the branch where I want them delivered, get an email notification when they arrive, go online to make a pickup appointment, approach the library door with mask on, and pick up the paper bag that contains my order.

I drop off my borrowed items through a slot and 4-5 days later they show up as being returned (for Covid safety reasons, they're held aside before the librarians process them).

As was planned a year ago, our library system abolished late fines this past spring.
https://www.lamayor.org/mayor-garcetti-la-public-library-will-end-late-fines

"December 13, 2019
LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today that the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) will end late fines for all library patrons beginning next spring — making LAPL the largest public library in America to eliminate overdue fines.

“Our library is a civic and cultural treasure, and everyone in the city should be able to share in the wealth of information, enrichment, and entertainment in our collection,” said Mayor Garcetti. “We are ending these fines because patrons show care and integrity in the handling of these precious materials — and nothing should stand in the way of Angelenos who want to share in all the library has to offer.”

Historically, fines for overdue materials have disproportionately impacted families and individuals with limited resources, and these penalties are often a deterrent to library access. Making LAPL fine-free removes that barrier — and will encourage library use and is expected to increase the number of library cardholders.

Fines for overdue materials will end in Spring 2020. Charges for overdue materials incurred before the new policy takes effect will also be eliminated. Going fine-free will also eliminate the $10.00 non-refundable service fine for lost items, and will also increase the number of times materials can be renewed from two to three — unless the specific item is requested by another patron.

The replacement costs for materials that are more than 45 days overdue from the last renewal, also known as lost fees, will not be impacted by the new policy. Library patrons are still responsible for paying for any damaged materials.

These changes are not expected to impact LAPL’s budget, as revenue from fines has steadily decreased over the past six years and today accounts for less than 1% of the Library’s operating budget.

“At the Los Angeles Public Library, we are proud to serve the largest, most diverse population of any library in the nation,” said City Librarian John F. Szabo. “We welcome everyone, and we are all about equity, access, opportunity, empowerment and lifelong learning. By removing barriers and going fine-free, we will be better able to serve everyone in Los Angeles.”

Today’s announcement follows a unanimous vote of the Board of Library Commissioners, who are appointed by Mayor Garcetti.

“When Mayor Garcetti appointed me to the Board of Library Commissioners, I was already a big believer in the power of our library — and I continue to be inspired by the creativity and innovation of library staff,” said Board of Library Commissioners President Bich Ngoc Cao. “This policy change will be a game changer for many families in Los Angeles, and we are excited for them to take advantage of the library.”

About the Los Angeles Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse population of any library in the nation. Its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, more than six million books, and state-of-the-art technology accessible at www.lapl.org, provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for life-long learning."
 
The public library is one of the oldest socialistic programs in the U.S. and is only one of many such programs. They are the backbone of our country.

Not everything needs to be self-supporting or the source of money for a limited few.

I surely hope it survives in some form.
 
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I sure hope not!!!! Part of the enjoyment of reading, for me, is to hold the book in my hands, turning the pages, putting in my book mark. Plus I love roaming the library searching for new books, new authors, new subjects. I’ve tried my kindle...and it’s just not the same for some reason
 

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