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I have a deep affection for libraries. When I was in high school, I went to the library at school all the time (even worked in it during my off periods for a few years 10th - 12th) - there were no bookstores in my hometown so the only place I could get books was the school library or the city library (and I always begged my parents to drop me off at the library whenever we went to town). I was so desperate for books that once when I went on a school trip that involved stopping at a mall for a couple of hours, I spent the money my dad gave me for lunch and supper on a few books (my school library had one of the books in a series, and when I saw the others in the mall's bookstore I just had to have them).
But then I left home and moved to an urban area that has lots of bookstores, and I haven't really felt a need to go to a library since. I don't even have a library card now, and even though I could borrow an ebook from a library I haven't explored those options at all. Not sure why, I just don't even think about looking at a library when I decide "hey, I want to read that book" - I just purchase it online (if its not public domain).
Kinda makes me nostalgic, thinking about it... my favorite thing when I was a kid was slowly working my way up and down the bookshelf aisles, scanning the titles to find something interesting to read. It was like hunting for easter eggs. I loved the whispering quiet, the sounds of dozens of pages being turned at any given moment, being surrounded by other people who enjoyed reading, and the ride home with a small stack of books just waiting to be opened.
Do libraries now days (the ones that stock ebooks) have physical download kiosks where you could plug in your own reader and check out a book? I liked being able to consult a librarian if I was looking for something in particular, or needed advice on a topic, and being able to combine a real live person to talk to with the ability to borrow and ebook would be awesome.
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