Love Libraries ?

[Nightshade]

Ok so the name is stolen from the LoveLibraries campaign, but my mind is a bit boggled. Its my final year of my ddegree and Im doing a piece of resrearch into what people want from public libraries (in a specific area so Im not asking you all to help me ) but I was wondering on a more global scale:
1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?
2- Do you actually use the library? Why?
3- What do you want from your library?
4- What do you expect them to have?
5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?

:D

:D

[kandaurov]

Sure!

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?
Yes, the British Library, and yes, it's free.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?
Yes, because it has an outstanding amount of research material. That is where I do research for my essays and if need be some of my coursework.

3- What do you want from your library?
Do you mean what I use from the library or what I want them to have/be like? Assuming you mean the first, I'd say I read magazines and journals, borrow books (alas, not possible in the BL) and use its electronic resources. If you mean the second, it's answered in question 4.

4- What do you expect them to have?
I expect them to be gratis, to have a wide variety of material available in all sorts of different formats, and to be able to loan out books.

5-If you could have anything a public library what would you have?
There's a word missing somewhere in this sentence, isn't it? I don't really follow you :confused:

[TheFifthElement]

Cool thread Nightie :D

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?

Yes I have a public library. It is free. Most libraries in the UK are free. Fines are payable on late items, though there are exemptions to that.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?

I use 2 libraries ('cos I'm greedy!). I use my local library (near my home) to take the children to get books. Childrens' books are short and children like variety so it's the best way to feed their burgeoning book habit. My son really likes factual books and they have an excellent collection. The second library I use is near my work place. It is the Manchester Central library which is a fantastic building with a fantastic collection of books. The language and literature library is brilliant. I use this to feed my book habit without bankrupting myself, and also it's a nice place to go during the day: quiet and away from the shops and bustle of the city centre, and they have magazines and sometimes have events and exhibitions on.

3- What do you want from your library?

Sanctuary!

4- What do you expect them to have?

Books, journals, magazines. Events to bring in readers like childrens' story hour and things like that. The city centre library also has poetry readings and speakers and things like that.

5-If you could have anything a public library what would you have?
my own!

[Nightshade]

Hummm thanks
the BL isnt really a public library, its a National librar and I didnt know they let people in without making you pay... wait arent you in portugal :confused:
the missing word is IN but Ive gone back and fixe it now!
:D

[Nightshade]

Cool thread Nightie :D

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?

Yes I have a public library. It is free. Most libraries in the UK are free. Fines are payable on late items, though there are exemptions to that.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?

I use 2 libraries ('cos I'm greedy!). I use my local library (near my home) to take the children to get books. Childrens' books are short and children like variety so it's the best way to feed their burgeoning book habit. My son really likes factual books and they have an excellent collection. The second library I use is near my work place. It is the Manchester Central library which is a fantastic building with a fantastic collection of books. The language and literature library is brilliant. I use this to feed my book habit without bankrupting myself, and also it's a nice place to go during the day: quiet and away from the shops and bustle of the city centre, and they have magazines and sometimes have events and exhibitions on.!
WAIT A MINUTE! MANCHESTER central?!!! Do you ever sit in the Cafe downstairs how weird would it be if Ive actually sat next to you in RL without knowing it!
I do like their lang and lit library, but not too fond of the General readers library downstairs, its too messy and some of the staff can be quite rude, but it s a gorgrous building and the ceiling if the socail sciences library is amazing- for manchester anyway. :D

On another note Sancuary is sort f one of the aims of PL in England ( develotion makes it england rather than UK) one of the purposes of a library is to provide a Neutral space :D

[Bitterfly]

Nice questions!! :thumbs_up (allowing me to further procrastinate, actually...)

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?
Yes, there is one in my town, and you have to pay a minute sum to be allowed to use it freely.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?
Yes, because one can't always be buying books, as much as one desires it! :D

3- What do you want from your library?
A good selection of English books (not always the case in France), of reference books, of lit.crit. books (almost never the case), and easy access to whichever classics one might like to consult.

4- What do you expect them to have?
Ditto.

5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?
All the forementioned, plus comfy spaces to read in, and very quiet nooks and crannies to step by sometimes and study in. A labyrinthine stacks area, where one could get lost in for hours and never see the light of day again. Secret passages leading from bookcases to arcane little rooms with forbidden books...
Ah, to visit the greatest libraries in the world!!!!

[kandaurov]

Right, my answer to 5 then would be a cinema room with free exhibitions of films from all over the world.

Well yes, I'm Portuguese, but as it happens I'm studying in London! Public libraries, then... hm... Queen Mary library I'm sure isn't. Maybe Senate House? The BL is indeed a national library, but I thought it was eligible as a public library too, being financed by the government and all. Are the labels "national" and "public" mutually exclusive? I don't know too much about libraries, I'm afraid ;)

[TheFifthElement]

WAIT A MINUTE! MANCHESTER central?!!! Do you ever sit in the Cafe downstairs how weird would it be if Ive actually sat next to you in RL without knowing it!
I do like their lang and lit library, but not too fond of the General readers library downstairs, its too messy and some of the staff can be quite rude, but it s a gorgrous building and the ceiling if the socail sciences library is amazing- for manchester anyway. :D

On another note Sancuary is sort f one of the aims of PL in England ( develotion makes it england rather than UK) one of the purposes of a library is to provide a Neutral space :D

Crazy :D

I've never been in the cafe, is it good? I don't use the General Readers library either - too many hardbacks for my liking and, yes, the staff are a bit grumpy in there. It is the most gorgeous building though isn't it? I love the ceiling in the entrance hall, and the social sciences library both for its shape, the ceiling and the excellent accoustics.

Have you ever been to the John Rylands Library? Not a good reading library but a fantastic building. The historic reading room is my ideal library space.

[dramasnot6]

I love university libraries. People go there to study, to research and sometimes to take a nap :p. My university library is like an extension of my home when I'm on campus, although it would be great if we had longer hours.

[BlueSkyGB]

1. Yes, and the services are free, except for overdue fines on items.

2....Yes quite a bit....I work there...:lol:

3. My paycheck..:D

4.Besides books, we offer audio books/cd's, Music cd's, DVD's, VHS tapes, Newspapers, mags., Public access computers, public access meeting rooms
and other services( notary service) Inter-Library Loans, Children's programs and a bookmobile service for patrons that cannot make it to one of our other locations...:) and a variety of other services for our patrons



5.....my very own coffee bar...:lol:

[sprinks]

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?

Yes we do :D. I've been a member since... I can ever remember... My name is actually handwritten on my card, it's that old :lol:. But I think you have to pay for a card, at the least you have to pay for a replacement card. All other things, computers, toilets, etc are free.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?

Because I read a lot. And because it's where I work! Also because I get a lot of books out for school work.

3- What do you want from your library?

A place to relax and learn, good wide range of books and other things, and friendly staff.

4- What do you expect them to have?

A wide range of books, magazines, cds, etc. And knowledgeable staff! But yes they shouldn't be limited to one area, unless it is the purpose of the library, like reference libraries. I also guess I expect them to have popular and highly demanded things, so that more people can access them who can't perhaps afford them, but would like to read them. But also to have the other extreme, of unknown but fascinating books etc.

Also various workshops and things, lectures and book readings. And book clubs.

5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?

I really don't know. Ours has toilets, books, magazines, foreign language books, maps and manuals, dvds, cds, computers, kids area, chairs, bean bags, tables, water fountain, it's all pretty good!

[Joreads]

Ok so the name is stolen from the LoveLibraries campaign, but my mind is a bit boggled. Its my final year of my ddegree and Im doing a piece of resrearch into what people want from public libraries (in a specific area so Im not asking you all to help me ) but I was wondering on a more global scale:
1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?
2- Do you actually use the library? Why?
3- What do you want from your library?
4- What do you expect them to have?
5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?

:D

:D


1.Yes we have several in the area. It is free unless you reserve a book and then it is Aussie$1.60
2.Yes I use it - I am in a bool club and some of the book I don't want to buy
3. The Books I want when I want them (bit selfish that I know:blush:)
4. See 3
5. Wow tough one I only really want books

[papayahed]

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?


Yes I have a free public library.


2- Do you actually use the library? Why?

Yes, sometimes. I use the library because it's free, I don't collect books and I'd rather not spend money on them when I can borrow for free.


3- What do you want from your library?

Audiobooks online
Wifi in the library
A large selection
online catalog


4- What do you expect them to have?

Same as # 3


5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?

Same as # 3. Sadly I moved to a state that is second from the bottom of education, the library system is horrible. :bawling: so lately I've been buying more books then I would like.

[LadyWentworth]

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?
Yes, several. It is free.


2- Do you actually use the library? Why?
Occasionally. Basically for music. I have checked books out if it is something that I am interested in reading but I don't care to actually spend the money on it. :) Why spend the money when I can read it for free? :)


3- What do you want from your library?
I am pretty satisfied with it. But as I use it mainly for music, I wish they would broaden that selection even more than they have done with it. Although I also wish they would allow people to access more of their songbooks rather than only being able to look at them at the library itself. People should be able to check more of them out. Other than that, I have no complaints.


4- What do you expect them to have?
Better music selection!


5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?
I don't really have an answer for it because I am rarely in one. I do all of my searching online and then I am in and out of the place picking up/returning whatever it is/was that I checked out.

[Nightshade]

wow cool answers everyone...will get back and answer more specifically later or on like tomoorrow morning , am up to my eyeballs in extra resrach tonight ( I just had to go and get carried away at the last minute and get all excited again even though I ave to hand in the interim report tomorrow which im all up to date with Ive suddenly remberd just how much I love this topic. 0 :rolleyes:
Actually Paya..it was you that gave me the idea for this reserach humm :D

[Nightshade]

Nice questions!! :thumbs_up (allowing me to further procrastinate, actually...)

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?
Yes, there is one in my town, and you have to pay a minute sum to be allowed to use it freely.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?
Yes, because one can't always be buying books, as much as one desires it! :D

3- What do you want from your library?
A good selection of English books (not always the case in France), of reference books, of lit.crit. books (almost never the case), and easy access to whichever classics one might like to consult.

4- What do you expect them to have?
Ditto.

5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?
All the forementioned, plus comfy spaces to read in, and very quiet nooks and crannies to step by sometimes and study in. A labyrinthine stacks area, where one could get lost in for hours and never see the light of day again. Secret passages leading from bookcases to arcane little rooms with forbidden books...
Ah, to visit the greatest libraries in the world!!!!
France as far as I know has some of the very beautifulones, somewhere around here someone posted pictures of some of the most beautiful libraries in the world Ill have to hunt it up!

Right, my answer to 5 then would be a cinema room with free exhibitions of films from all over the world.

Well yes, I'm Portuguese, but as it happens I'm studying in London! Public libraries, then... hm... Queen Mary library I'm sure isn't. Maybe Senate House? The BL is indeed a national library, but I thought it was eligible as a public library too, being financed by the government and all. Are the labels "national" and "public" mutually exclusive? I don't know too much about libraries, I'm afraid ;)
In the UK they are, well more specifically England since develotion in 98 its hard to keep track of everyone especially as my studies practical work and most of my resreach involves only England. The public libraries are goverened by the 1956 public libraries act and basically have to provide free books for lending to the public living in a catchment area are funded by local government and are technically supervised by the DCMS and MLA but not really ( develoutuion recking havoc again) annd the BL is really I gues sthe portatl for the 5 national lbraries in the UK and Ireland ( or what formally would have been known asthe British Isles, the rules regarding them havent changed even if the rest of the socia-political stuff has) ^ copies of every book published inthe UK must be sent by the Publisher to these national libraries to be stored' for postarity@ the only differnce is Trinitaty college in Dublin whihc in addition o UK books stores all Irish publications ( the UK lbraries used to , but now they pick and choose which books they take although they still take alot. :D


Crazy :D

I've never been in the cafe, is it good? I don't use the General Readers library either - too many hardbacks for my liking and, yes, the staff are a bit grumpy in there. It is the most gorgeous building though isn't it? I love the ceiling in the entrance hall, and the social sciences library both for its shape, the ceiling and the excellent accoustics.

Have you ever been to the John Rylands Library? Not a good reading library but a fantastic building. The historic reading room is my ideal library space.
The cafe isn’t very good no although they do have a loyalty scheme on coffee and they make good cups of tea realtivly cheaply ( for part of Manchester anyway –Nero and starbucks rob you blind!) plus I occasionally bring my own food to eat down there, and take books down before ve booked them out to choose what I want then self service issue them as I leave. Have been to John Rylands, it is an awesome ( original meaning) place , but I have trouble ith the shelves being soo high and I get too easily distracted in there to study there just THAT many amazing books.

I love university libraries. People go there to study, to research and sometimes to take a nap :p. My university library is like an extension of my home when I'm on campus, although it would be great if we had longer hours.
Humm talkig about public here drama but they can be yes , and we finally got longer opening hours this year and ts great , but I see that I will have to continue the going to work there because I cant seem to stay off the litnet otherwise.

1. Yes, and the services are free, except for overdue fines on items.

2....Yes quite a bit....I work there...:lol:

3. My paycheck..:D

4.Besides books, we offer audio books/cd's, Music cd's, DVD's, VHS tapes, Newspapers, mags., Public access computers, public access meeting rooms
and other services( notary service) Inter-Library Loans, Children's programs and a bookmobile service for patrons that cannot make it to one of our other locations...:) and a variety of other services for our patrons



5.....my very own coffee bar...:lol:
Coffee bar I want one of those, I love running coffee mornings although the last time we had one was cristmas eve and one of the customers had the nerve to call me FAT the horrid old man and after Ive always been so nice to him when no one else could stand hime either ..grr :flare:

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?

Yes we do :D. I've been a member since... I can ever remember... My name is actually handwritten on my card, it's that old :lol:. But I think you have to pay for a card, at the least you have to pay for a replacement card. All other things, computers, toilets, etc are free.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?

Because I read a lot. And because it's where I work! Also because I get a lot of books out for school work.

3- What do you want from your library?

A place to relax and learn, good wide range of books and other things, and friendly staff.

4- What do you expect them to have?

A wide range of books, magazines, cds, etc. And knowledgeable staff! But yes they shouldn't be limited to one area, unless it is the purpose of the library, like reference libraries. I also guess I expect them to have popular and highly demanded things, so that more people can access them who can't perhaps afford them, but would like to read them. But also to have the other extreme, of unknown but fascinating books etc.

Also various workshops and things, lectures and book readings. And book clubs.

5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?

I really don't know. Ours has toilets, books, magazines, foreign language books, maps and manuals, dvds, cds, computers, kids area, chairs, bean bags, tables, water fountain, it's all pretty good!
Ah but does it have a garden? The public library ( they call it municipal ) in Prague does its an amazing place!

1.Yes we have several in the area. It is free unless you reserve a book and then it is Aussie$1.60
2.Yes I use it - I am in a bool club and some of the book I don't want to buy
3. The Books I want when I want them (bit selfish that I know:blush:)
4. See 3
5. Wow tough one I only really want books
Really? But would you use other services if they provide them, like I don t know rent music downloads cheap ?

Yes, several. It is free.


Occasionally. Basically for music. I have checked books out if it is something that I am interested in reading but I don't care to actually spend the money on it. :) Why spend the money when I can read it for free? :)


I am pretty satisfied with it. But as I use it mainly for music, I wish they would broaden that selection even more than they have done with it. Although I also wish they would allow people to access more of their songbooks rather than only being able to look at them at the library itself. People should be able to check more of them out. Other than that, I have no complaints.


Better music selection!


I don't really have an answer for it because I am rarely in one. I do all of my searching online and then I am in and out of the place picking up/returning whatever it is/was that I checked out.
Ah but the searching online is a service ! so techally part of what I mena by in the public library, like for example I wish our catlouge had a listmanina option, I love that thing on amazon it helps me find loads of things to read if Im ever running out plus I bet the library staff could fill it double quick too :D

[sprinks]

Ah but does it have a garden? The public library ( they call it municipal ) in Prague does its an amazing place!


Well not a garden, but it is surrounded by a park. There is a park across the car park, and also around the library, with picnic benches and trees etc.

[Nightshade]

ok sprinks.. your library add to the list of libraries to see before I die! It does sound great though :D

[BlueSkyGB]

Here's a pic of ours from our website...
hope this works...
I've worked at both locations throughout the years,
My office is now in the Richmond location..

[kratsayra]

I hope you don't mind some more data . . .

1- Do you have a public library? is it free or do you have to pay?

Yes, I do have a public library and it is free.

2- Do you actually use the library? Why?

I just moved, and I just got a library card. :) Though I have access to a University library with a better academic selection, the public library is better for popular and contemporary fiction, which is either not in the university library, or harder to get ahold of. And I'm trying to buy fewer books.

3- What do you want from your library?

Nice staff, a cozy feel and that library smell :), some comfortable chairs, a sense of community, a clear shelf layout that is easy to navigate

4- What do you expect them to have?

Internet, books, some clubs or organizations that meet there, good displays of new books that are out, multiple copies of popular books

5-If you could have anything in a public library what would you have?

More foreign language books (I'm in the US, the only language section other than English that's even marginally substantial in most libraries is Spanish)