Libraries, In Or Out?

[andave_ya]

Libraries ROCK! I go every week, sometimes twice, though I've forbidden myself to check out books until I've finished reading the 30+ I have sitting smugly on my own bookshelf now. Lovely cd and dvd collection, though I object to the 50 computers smack dab to the right of the entrance. Cd's and dvd's/films directly in front, and books are *far* away to the left, beyond the checkout desks. I also volunteer for a library society that sorts books for a bi-monthly booksale at said library. It's lots of fun; I get to chat with a beautiful old lady, and last time her husband, about bookish stuff. We suggest books to each other (no, I don't get them, though Muriel peaked my interest with Diana Gabaldon) and share various booksy experiences. Libraries are grand!! All sorts of lovely, friendly ghosts running around. I always thought it would be kind of cool to write a story about multiple characters from multiple books at the library coming alive...sorta materializing out of their respective books...and carrying on conversations or solving a mystery. I think Aragorn and Sherlock Holmes might have a lot in common, don't you? What about Mr. Darcy and Lord Peter? Jane Eyre and Mr. Pickwick?

Smilies all the way.

[SleepyWitch]

I use 3 to 4 different libraries: my univ's central library, the library of the English department (+the Geography departmental library), the public library in Nuremberg.
I like the public library because it's quite big and has got quite a good selection of English books. I also like taking out DVDs, travel guides/illustrated books about other countries.
what I don't like, is that the air is very stuffy and smelly in there, so I get dizzy if I stay there too long. That means that I don't sit and read there but just get the books and go home.
Plus, the way they acquire new books is a bit erratic. They'll have volume 1 and 18 of a manga but not 2 to 17.

[Nightshade]

Libraries ROCK! I go every week, sometimes twice, though I've forbidden myself to check out books until I've finished reading the 30+ I have sitting smugly on my own bookshelf now. Lovely cd and dvd collection, though I object to the 50 computers smack dab to the right of the entrance.

Shifting foucus of libraries, I know . But nowadays alot of referance stuff is on the computers and libraries are supposed to be gateways to knowleedge, also studies show that the computres bring alot of people in who wouldnt otherwise get in.... then the staff jump on them all dressed up ( which reminds me I need to dig out my christmas/ elf stuff) have coffe mornings and hand out books.

I also volunteer for a library society that sorts books for a bi-monthly booksale at said library. It's lots of fun; I get to chat with a beautiful old lady, and last time her husband, about bookish stuff. We suggest books to each other (no, I don't get them, though Muriel peaked my interest with Diana Gabaldon) and share various booksy experiences. Libraries are grand!! All sorts of lovely, friendly ghosts running around.

Hey that sounds interetsing mind me asking where in the world? We have a new scheme coming in where we have to include the local community more in actual manging the library and that sounds like an idea.

I always thought it would be kind of cool to write a story about multiple characters from multiple books at the library coming alive...sorta materializing out of their respective books...and carrying on conversations or solving a mystery. I think Aragorn and Sherlock Holmes might have a lot in common, don't you? What about Mr. Darcy and Lord Peter? Jane Eyre and Mr. Pickwick?
Smilies all the way.

I actually have a story along those lines in the works I mean its like perfect isnt it, ( have you read the Jasper FForde books they are fun! )

I use 3 to 4 different libraries: my univ's central library, the library of the English department (+the Geography departmental library), the public library in Nuremberg.
I like the public library because it's quite big and has got quite a good selection of English books. I also like taking out DVDs, travel guides/illustrated books about other countries.
what I don't like, is that the air is very stuffy and smelly in there, so I get dizzy if I stay there too long. That means that I don't sit and read there but just get the books and go home.
Plus, the way they acquire new books is a bit erratic. They'll have volume 1 and 18 of a manga but not 2 to 17.

Nuremberg..huh maybe Ill incorparate public libraries on my Grand adventure.

[SleepyWitch]

Nuremberg..huh maybe Ill incorparate public libraries on my Grand adventure.

ahahaha, well the library isn't that much of an attraction, but there's the castle, 2 cathedral-sized churches, the old town and the Nazi part rally grounds so there's lots to see

[papayahed]

I was spoiled in Kansas, they had the downloadable audiobooks and always had whatever I needed. The library system in shreveport leaves a lot to be desired, the website is horrible, they don't have the downloadable kind, and they just don't have many books - How do you not have "Junky"??

[aabbcc]

I own in total 5-6 library cards, with which I can use some 70-ish libraries (two cards belong to two different "nets of libraries" and thus allow me to use multiple libraries with one card), so I can never run out of books

I love libraries, for a short period of time when I was 13-14 I even volunteered in one, but later time and other duties did not permit that. Despite an access to some 70 libraries, I seldom use a library which is not amongst the 8-9 libraries I more-less regularly use (included university library for more serious things, whose member I am on bona fide and on recommendations by professors, because I de facto should not be a member given that I am not a university student). I usually visit 3-4 libraries per week, depending on time, what I desire to read, which literature I need to consult (all of those libraries have some things that others don't, for example), etc.

Over the time I have grown to have my own collection, which I adore immensely, and I combine readings from my collection, from other people's collections I have right to use, and library readings; still, there is something special about libraries and the atmosphere in them...

[Nossa]

I don't have a public library, so I don't really know what to like or dislike about them. I'd LOVE to have a public library, but sadly the only decent library here is that of the British Council..and you have to pay for it. And also the one of the American Embassy...and they're both in down-town Cairo, which is a trip itself. So for me, I try as much as I can to buy the books I need (if I find them)..and if not, I either read online, or photocopy, and sometimes download books (not very proud of it) when I can't find them.

[Nightshade]

Hummm donloadble audio books, thats an idea for our servoce to adopt.

[andave_ya]

Shifting foucus of libraries, I know . But nowadays alot of referance stuff is on the computers and libraries are supposed to be gateways to knowleedge, also studies show that the computres bring alot of people in who wouldnt otherwise get in.... then the staff jump on them all dressed up ( which reminds me I need to dig out my christmas/ elf stuff) have coffe mornings and hand out books.

Hey that sounds interetsing mind me asking where in the world? We have a new scheme coming in where we have to include the local community more in actual manging the library and that sounds like an idea.



I actually have a story along those lines in the works I mean its like perfect isnt it, ( have you read the Jasper FForde books they are fun! )

Alas, my library isn't so sophisticated that it has coffee mornings, but they have a number of book clubs. There's one that looks tantalizing...'Mostly Literary' group that reads literature...but lackaday, look at the time!

We're in California. Do you have a "Friends of the (insert name here) Library"? They hold fundraisers, booksales, and other functions to increase revenue for the library. They are not part of the library; rather a group of people who love to read and love the library (or what it was). The "Friends" took out a wanted ad in the newspaper, and since I want to study Library Science, I called in and am now a volunteer. It's fun!

Do you plan to post the story here on the LitNet? I'd love to read it. You tantalized me with the Jasper Fforde books, though. I saw one at the library yesterday but didn't pick it up. Next time.

It is perfect, isn't it? Lots of possibilities.

[Nightshade]

Eyre affaire is the first book. We dont have the "friends thing yet" but will soon.

[Zelly]

I belong to the county library, as well as the city library. I like my county library much better. They take better care of their books. My one issue with the library is the condition of the audio-books. They are in general likely to have playing issues. Which makes me sad. =( Other than that I find libraries absolutely amazing. I don't buy books more than twice a year, though I peruse bookstores often. So, because of the limited income of a fourteen-year-old, the library provides me with a wealth of books. Without a library, I would be VERY sad. =( And not at all well read. Thank you libraries!

[BlueSkyGB]

From the postings in this thread.....I have job security....
The only thing is see here that we don't have at work is the coffee thing, but then again, I keep a small java maker in my office....

Thanks for supporting your local libraries, no matter where they are...

[metal134]

No, I don't go to my local libraires for two reasons. Number one, I am a book hog. I want my home to be a quasi library, with hundreds of pieces of classic fiction, philisophical and historical texts at my finger tips for easy refernece at all times. Secondly, and this is the most important reason why; my local libraries SUCK. Man oh man do they suck hardcore. The main branch is the worst. The quite honestley have as many romance novels as classical literature; of which they don't have much. Honestly; they don't have squat in the way of classics and have almost no secondary literature.. And all the other branches are pretty bad too. I actually did use to use my univeristy's library quite often. I only wish my county libraries where as good. My college library had ALL the classics and TONS of secondary literature. But my locals, they just flat out blow.

[Petrarch's Love]

How can you even ask this question? Everyone knows that libraries are totally in! Only the most chic set attend. I love libraries of all kinds. In Chicago I'm usually dividing my time between my University library where I can get my lit. and crit. and the Newberry Library downtown, which is an amazing archival library where I can read 16th century originals. When on break in California I spend more time in my hometown's really wonderful central public library reading fun and frivolous entertainment books, although I occasionally make scholarly dashes to UCI when I need one of those nerdy tomes only a university library can provide. I offer up prayers of thanks for libraries, since I would clearly be either deep in debt or much less well read were it not for these marvelous places. Generally I only buy books that I know I will want to refer back to and/or re-read, which narrows my personal library to mostly reference and classics.

[michael336]

I used to love libraries, but then I got into the habit of writing marginalia. Public librarians get a little snippy if you do that to library books.
Plus our libraries always have screaming and crying kids. They're more into the entertainment of puppet shows and the like without any big promotion of reading books. They might as well just stick a big-screen TV up in the corner.....so sad......