Are libraries still relevant?

spablo_94 · Post by **spablo_94** » 05 Feb 2015, 16:25

For me, libraries are still relevant. I still go to a physical library. I love looking for books just by browsing in the library. Most books that I have read came from the library.

doglvr · Post by **doglvr** » 05 Feb 2015, 17:42

perphila wrote:I will say straight away I am biased being a librarian. Still, my library is very small. Only officially open in summer but we have a hard core winter community that will trudge through the snow and browse in the cold (no heat inside) just to find a book. In summer we have all kinds of events and reference services, display, and programs. Wifi, DVDs, VHS, audio and all that jazz you get from a big full time library. The main thing though is that community base that is vital not just for the library but for the community as a whole. People gather on the porch to discuss things just like we do here. What did you read over the winter? What was your favorite book growing up? Did you hear so and so has a new book coming out? Did you know they made that into a movie? Parents have a chance to let their kids experiment at no cost books that will hopefully trigger a lifetime of love and learning. Adults can find something new and branch out of reading comfort zones. I think just knowing that our library for example is run with no funding at all except donations and volunteers is a good indicator how much having a library no matter how small means to people.

Just reading your posting makes me want to visit. If I lived there I'd be your No. 1 volunteer. As it is I volunteer at our public library, which is a fantastic one, and am in charge of our senior center library.

Do you get the idea I'm a reading addict.

rose081900 · Post by **rose081900** » 15 Mar 2015, 14:12

I think libraries are still relevant. I don't physically go to my library as much as I used to before I started reading e-books. My librarians know me by name, they suggest books to me, I can't get that from not going to a library. If I can't find a book via their ebook selection, then I go get the hard back book from the library.

Brandi Nichcole · Post by **Brandi Nichcole** » 15 Mar 2015, 17:41

I go to the Library all the time! But I personally would rather own my own books, just something about looking over at my bookshelves and seeing that I have stacks of books on the floor beside them or stacked on top because I ran out of room makes me really happy . (:

doglvr · Post by **doglvr** » 16 Mar 2015, 14:34

Definitely. Libraries are for more than reading books. I don't know what I'd do without the reference people at my library.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 16 Mar 2015, 14:54

I think that libraries have relevance. One thing that I appreciate is that the Louisville Free Public Library branches have a web site in which you can search for your book and know which location to find it at before you leave the house to drive there.

I don't go to the library too often, but I do like it when I need a hardcover. I don't like collecting hardcovers, so I never want to buy them. If I need to read a book before it's ready in paperback, I'll go to the library to borrow it.

Also, the local libraries offer free Internet for an hour a day. I'd take advantage of that, and maybe quit paying for Internet at home, but there is no library within walking distance from me, and I live in a high-traffic area.

I never go to the library's activities, but I might if I had any children.

Eckhart Aurelius Hughes · Post by **Scott** » 16 Mar 2015, 15:24

Many Libraries loan ebooks and they offer computers to use for free, often with cheap or free printing services. They also often offer free wi-fi, with power outlets, in quiet environment for laptop users. These are very relevant in today's age.

Just a couple weeks ago I met at the local library for a meeting with a local activist co-op.

I then went back to the library a few days later for a playgroup for my kids. I have also been trying to make a 'storytime' at the library for my kids but have been unsuccessful at that so far.

Buildings contains large amounts of paper books for loaning are outdated. But libraries are evolving with the technology of book and information culture.

What I would love to see is libraries combine with home internet services in some towns. The value of a dollar varies across the country and may mean little to those outside the U.S.; But here (Connecticut) cable companies work through a monopoly system and charge very high rates around $80 a month for internet service. Going to the library for internet can be convenient in certain scenarios (such as a group project or when your internet service at home is temporarily out). Some free internet access funded by the town as voluntarily voted on by it's residents would be a great thing to see, even if it was limited such that if someone was a heavy internet user they would still need to upgrade to the cable company. The real savings would be in the collective bargaining the town could do on behalf of its residents. But not having internet in this day and age is like not having a phone at all in years past--or not having a postal mailbox.

lauriep219 · Post by **lauriep219** » 16 Mar 2015, 16:22

I love and cherish the library. I take my kids and try to instill in them the appreciation as well. I'm more of a physical book reader over the e-reader type, and I like that I have access to an infinite amount at no cost because of the library system. And there are services there besides just books! Our library has cooking and yoga classes (as well as other types of classes), author readings, story time and play things for the kids, different clubs...a wide variety of interests. It also caters to the techies. Many computers, web services, e-reader rentals, ebooks. Libraries are moving forward! More people just need to know of all the possibilities and the resources offered.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 16 Mar 2015, 16:30

Odd story... maybe six or seven years ago. I had a wish list that was filled with recent YA books and one book by Nora Roberts. I went to the library web site (for Louisville) to see if they had any books on my list. Out of the fifteen or twenty YA books, they had, maybe one of them in their inventory. They also had the Nora Roberts. Ha ha.

It was several years before they jumped on the YA bandwagon, and now they do have a lot of the books I want to read. That was really weird, though. Same story with the local used bookstore. They wouldn't buy my old YA books, saying they had no area for them, but now there's a huge YA area there.

Scott, that's a bummer. My Internet is $35, but it's through the phone line--DSL. And it's reeeeeally slow.

Maryv61 · Post by **Maryv61** » 16 Mar 2015, 17:05

It makes me so sad that I really don't go to the library like I used to. I might go to use the fax or printer but I don't check out books since I can download them at home or surf the Internet at home as well. I need to use the library more often because it is free and would save a lot of money as far as reading books.

missyskids423 · Post by **missyskids423** » 17 Mar 2015, 16:33

Libraries are definitely still relevant. Where else can you read books for free? Not to mention that most libraries now have the option to take out books for your tablet or smartphone. Plus, for me as a parent, I can take my child there for story time.

shearsk · Post by **shearsk** » 17 Mar 2015, 17:15

I go to the library about once a week or so and I have been since I was a little kid. We never had much money when I was growing up so the library was a very important resource for me to get free books and movies. Now that I'm older, I don't necessarily have to go to the library but I still like to. Part of it is probably force of habit, but another part is that I'm such a fast reader that I would spend a fortune in books if I bought every one that I read. And, I'll admit I like getting movies from the library as well so I don't have to buy every one I might be in the mood to watch or just want to see once or twice.

Acarlson0108 · Post by **Acarlson0108** » 17 Mar 2015, 18:17

Absolutely! Libraries are a fantastic institution that provides access to information to anyone regardless of socioeconomic class.

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 17 Mar 2015, 19:03

I have a wonderful library in my town. As many have stated it is not just a place to get physical books but is large part of our community. There are book clubs, current event discussion groups, raffles, book sales, workshops, teen area, children's area, movie showings with discussions at the end, and current technology (like computers).

I am there at least once a week filling up my bag with 6 or more books. (I read a lot) I love the feel of our library. Everyone wants to be there and the suggestion shelves are always packed with books I have either heard of and want to read or I've never heard of and must read.

Lastwords189 · Post by **Lastwords189** » 17 Mar 2015, 19:04

I actually haven't been to a library in a while but when I went it was not to check out books. I go mainly to see what books they have for sale there because they are normally pretty cheap to purchase.