Mmmmh, not entirely. A lot of libraries rent out other stuff for money. Or even sell book related items. But I understand, it's tough in today's world.
I haven't actually been into a library for a long time - living INSIDE one kind of takes the urge away - but I understand that they're MUCH more that a simple book loaning agency these days. Still, it's *mostly* about free books.... [grin]
That depends on where you are, I think. My library's work is heavily social-services oriented, because 80% of Dallas County's citizens are on some kind of assistance and constantly need help accessing the websites to get proof of benefits, upload documents verifying their eligibility, that kind of thing. Basically, any company or government agency that has a self-service website tells people to come to the library to get help using the 'self' service website.
Working in a library & living in a bedroom that basically a library with a bed in it haven't taken away my interest in libraries in general. I always like visiting public libraries and seeing if they say something about the community they're in. Montevallo had a wonderful little library, for instance -- the library itself was small, but they had an attached art gallery and theater because they're more of a community center, and they don't need a big space for books because they're connected to a network that lets patrons (like myself, when I lived there) borrow books from the Birmingham library through them.
I think the last time I used a library regularly was when I was a teenager/early 20's. Back then - in the early 80's is was all about the books. Although I remember that they did lend out cassettes too and possibly vinyl records. No idea what state they got THEM back in though!!
I have used libraries all my life. But we only have a very small library here that doesn't really cater for people like me who want something more than just the latest best-sellers. So, I haven't been visiting one since we moved.
I did visit our 'local' library here YEARS ago (before they built our leisure complex which houses the 'new' library) when it was in a temporary portacabin. I looked around for a few minutes & left thinking that I had more books than they did. Likewise they didn't really cater to my needs which, to be honest, most small libraries would struggle with!!
7 comments:
Mmmmh, not entirely. A lot of libraries rent out other stuff for money. Or even sell book related items. But I understand, it's tough in today's world.
I haven't actually been into a library for a long time - living INSIDE one kind of takes the urge away - but I understand that they're MUCH more that a simple book loaning agency these days. Still, it's *mostly* about free books.... [grin]
That depends on where you are, I think. My library's work is heavily social-services oriented, because 80% of Dallas County's citizens are on some kind of assistance and constantly need help accessing the websites to get proof of benefits, upload documents verifying their eligibility, that kind of thing. Basically, any company or government agency that has a self-service website tells people to come to the library to get help using the 'self' service website.
Working in a library & living in a bedroom that basically a library with a bed in it haven't taken away my interest in libraries in general. I always like visiting public libraries and seeing if they say something about the community they're in. Montevallo had a wonderful little library, for instance -- the library itself was small, but they had an attached art gallery and theater because they're more of a community center, and they don't need a big space for books because they're connected to a network that lets patrons (like myself, when I lived there) borrow books from the Birmingham library through them.
I think the last time I used a library regularly was when I was a teenager/early 20's. Back then - in the early 80's is was all about the books. Although I remember that they did lend out cassettes too and possibly vinyl records. No idea what state they got THEM back in though!!
I have used libraries all my life. But we only have a very small library here that doesn't really cater for people like me who want something more than just the latest best-sellers. So, I haven't been visiting one since we moved.
I did visit our 'local' library here YEARS ago (before they built our leisure complex which houses the 'new' library) when it was in a temporary portacabin. I looked around for a few minutes & left thinking that I had more books than they did. Likewise they didn't really cater to my needs which, to be honest, most small libraries would struggle with!!
Yup, I think that is the biggest problem for most avid readers.
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