Public libraries

We used the libraries a lot when we lived in Berkeley, mainly to get kid's books, and we went through a lot of books. (If our daughter really liked a book we would buy it) There were a lot of libraries there! Now, our daughter checks out graphic novels. My husband doesn't like libraries because he always thinks the book he's reading was read by other people while they were sitting on the toilet or something. (I probably shouldn't have said that. ) I used to laugh at him until I was reading a book that had a big booger sticking the pages together. We buy our books now.

My mom is a branch manager at the library here and I don't even go to the library. I honestly don't like to read.

I generally stop by the local library every couple of weeks. I don't always take out books but I do like to hang out for an hour or two and check out their reference material and magazines.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

My husband doesn't like libraries because he always thinks the book he's reading was read by other people while they were sitting on the toilet or something. (I probably shouldn't have said that.

) I used to laugh at him until I was reading a book that had a big booger sticking the pages together. We buy our books now.

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...I've had booger books before, or the ones with the mysteriously stuck together pages.

Originally Posted by GailC

If some of us "older" TCS members recollect book mobiles???
I was in grade school and it would make a stop at the school so we wouldn't have to go all the way "downtown" ( a whole 3 miles!!)
Those were so cool!!

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I remember those! They were cool.

We just went to a different branch of our library yesterday (the one we usually go to is closed for 2 weeks for remodeling) and I was pleasantly surprised to find 2 books I wanted to read. One of which is very new, and I didn't think they'd have it at all.

Originally Posted by GailC

For some reason I stopped using the public library. But started going back last week (after paying my $11.90 fine)
I've been lucking out and checking out some books I really want to read.

On the other hand-booksellers profits will be going down.

Anyone else use their public libraries??

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Sorta. I work in one every day!

A co-worker once gave me a horoscope a day calendar. Every once in awhile, it would say, "Visit your local public libary today" as part of the horoscope. I just to get a kick out of that!

Now, after paying your fine, don't you feel like an honest person again?

Sorry, just had to say this, as I can't put on my bunned wig and horn-rimmed glasses, and wag my finger at you...

Well with my work sched, the libary is closed when i go to and come home from work, makes it really hard to go. Plus now i tend to just buy books that really want to read now.

so i dont get much from there anymore
but i have backup copies of just about there entire classical and jazz ,music Cd's if they ever did them

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I gave up on the one here in town, all it has is cheap paper back Harlequins, some mysteries, and westerns.

Practically no sci-fi at all, not even well known authors, and the system is rather weak too -it had maybe one or two books by certain authors at best.

The non fiction section was somewhat outdated (not good for science related stuff at all), mostly magazines and even the children's section looked rather poor. There has to be some serious funding issues.

In comparison, the public library in the town I grew up in (1500 people at best) had better selections and the librarian really tried to get new releases in regularly.

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It's probably a funding issue. It sounds as if they're buying, with their limited funds, what is most popular for the area (for example, out west, westerns are usually very hot; whereas, here, back east, we don't even categorize them with a "western" sticker or a special call number, like our mystery and sci-fi collections). In my experience, having worked in a public library for 20+ years, when the state has to cut funds, libraries get the axe. A few years ago, we had a 40% decrease in our budgets; we had to drop a lot of newspaper subscriptions, etc. They wanted to give us a 50% decrease! This went on for about 2-3 years; now, fortunately, we're back to normal (bear in mind, I NEVER remember our library getting budget cuts; if anything, we had it increased annually, and usually got a $50,00-$100,000 state grant at the end of the year, in order to buy more materials).

Perhaps if your library could increase its circulation or foot traffic, and take count of this on a daily basis, add it up at the end of the year, and present this to whoever provides the funding, it may get you better funding. It also depends on who's doing the collection devlopment (choosing and buying materials).

When will state governments wake up, and realize how important libraries are????

I enjoy our library. We can borrow DVDs from there too. It's also a peaceful place to read magazines and newspapers you don't get through the mail but enjoy.

Ours is pretty awesome. Since a lot of the local community/public libraries are small (and you have to either be in school for a bigger one or drive 30 minutes) they teamed up. So if I find a book that I want to read in another library, they will transport it to my local library and I can check it out using my card and return it back to the same local library. I love it!!!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

I gave up on the one here in town, all it has is cheap paper back Harlequins, some mysteries, and westerns.

Practically no sci-fi at all, not even well known authors, and the system is rather weak too -it had maybe one or two books by certain authors at best.

The non fiction section was somewhat outdated (not good for science related stuff at all), mostly magazines and even the children's section looked rather poor. There has to be some serious funding issues.

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Funding, definitely. I work as a Page in a local library here and we just got a levy passed by the town... so we're buying books again... if you request sci-fi, they may be able to accommodate you, if only by using ILL's (Inter Library Loans). It never hurts to ask!!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

...I've had booger books before, or the ones with the mysteriously stuck together pages.

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heh heh heh... when we check in books, we do sometimes try to catch those... you think boogers are bad? try mystery sticky substance on the cover of a kids' book... man, oh man... that was nasty... thank God for the solvents and stuff we have there, or it would never have come off... blech!

Originally Posted by MargeCat

Perhaps if your library could increase its circulation or foot traffic, and take count of this on a daily basis, add it up at the end of the year, and present this to whoever provides the funding, it may get you better funding. It also depends on who's doing the collection devlopment (choosing and buying materials).

When will state governments wake up, and realize how important libraries are????

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They can also do a survey, like what we did. We found out the kinds of things patrons wanted out of us (more DVD's, of course, and newer books). Fortunately, they had JUST passed a new library levy, giving us more funding...

Sadly, too many people forgo the library, either buying books (I am a book hoarder myself, but i do like the library), or preferring 'easier' media over books. I read an article recently that readership is on the decline. Sad. Of course, this has the effect of people voting no on library funding, libraries closing due to lack of funding... etc...

a whole system of libraries further south in Oregon (Bend? somewhere around there) was closed down because the people kept voting down the levies. They hope to reopen, but it's sickening to me that soemthing that was cherished within my lifetime (of a mere 34 years) is now thrown aside for faster info, i.e. the internet.

I love the internet, but as places like Wikipedia (don't get me wrong, I love that site, but take some info with a GoS.) have shown... you cannot always trust the information, as the sources are sometimes questionable. I look online for opinions and such... but for cold hard facts, I either rely on books (reading one now on Mars) or websites from the source (on Mars again, going to NASA's website). While the websites can give me really current info, the books have nuances that the websites just don't have.

As for those of you who don't go... with the exception of the behind-the-times branches that don't have anything current, try them again, really. they have DVD's, some have internet computers, newspapers, and lots of books. And if they don't have what you want on the shelves, ASK! If the person at the Circulation desk gives you an attitude, just remember, they're probably underfunded and have to deal with screaming toddlers and whack-job patrons who give them cr** about every little thing. Ask nicely, and you should get nice in return.

And for anyone who doesn't think strange things happen in libraries... heh heh heh... we have stories... boy do we ever. About a month ago, we had a teenage couple who locked themselves in the 'family' bathroom (for changing tables and mom's with boys) for over an hour... no, the walls are thick enough we didn't 'hear' anything, but patrons weren't very happy... We had a good laugh about it in the back room.

Hi my name is Susan and I am a libraryaholic yes you read that right. The kids and I got at least once a week and I tend to read 1 -2 books a day. I love to read would give up the tv for a book anytime. Our county library is small very small and they don't do the loan with other ones so pickings are small. But I still find things to read. The next county over they have a HUGE one and I was thinking of going and getting a card from them but since I am not a resident I would have to pay $50 a year for a card. Which sounds expensive but I could get almost any book I want. Maybe I'll ask for that for christmas.

It is frustrating to bring home book after book that's so icky one just hates to handle it, y'know? Awhile back, I got an otherwise mint-condition copy of "One Shot" by Lee Child that reeked so horribly of cigarette smoke that I literally couldn't ride in the car with it -- I had to put it in the trunk. It took me two days with soap, water, baking soda, cotton balls, a clean paintbrush, and two fans to fumigate that book enough to read it!

Anyway... I clean the covers with soap and water, or use those stretchy fabric bookcovers, to help make library books a little more tolerable. And usually, I go up to the beautiful new library in Frisco, just north of here, where all the books are still fresh and (relatively) clean!

Does anyone else remember the Seinfeld episode where George took an expensive art book into the men's room at the bookstore...?

Our public library here is not too great, but we have a great book exchange. I buy books at yard sales, even if I don't want to read them, and take them and trade them in for something I do want to read. I have been going there for years, and have developed a rapport with the owner. He is the coolest guy, and can tell you where every book in the place is, and they are literally stacked to the rafters.
He will remember you and what you like to read even if he has not seen you for several years.

My daughter reads like there is no tomorrow, so we go weekly to get her a new supply of books. I use to read a lot more & have just got back to reading again. I will probably check out a few now & then for myself soon. But, I am really picky if the book has a smell or has yucky things in or on it, I won't even bring it home.

Our public library here is not too great, but we have a great book exchange. I buy books at yard sales, even if I don't want to read them, and take them and trade them in for something I do want to read. I have been going there for years, and have developed a rapport with the owner. He is the coolest guy, and can tell you where every book in the place is, and they are literally stacked to the rafters.
He will remember you and what you like to read even if he has not seen you for several years.

I used to practically live at the library when I was a kid, but sadly don't read nearly as much as I used to. It used to be I finished a book in a day. Now it can take weeks or months. I would use the library more if it didn't take me so long to get through those I checked out.

I sarted using the library 4 yrs ago, just after I lost my job. I used to buy & exchange books at a local used book store. To save money I started going to the library. I love to read but have a real 'problem' with putting a book down! I just can't wait to see how it ends. It has been to the detrement of me because I would read all day and never get any housework done! I was like a kid in a candystore......no self control.