I Miss Chicago Public Library

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Filark

Fbone, how can Sydney's Mom (or anyone??) purchase a CPL card? Where id you get that information?

http://www.chipublib.org/howto/library_card.php

You do have to buy them in person in a Chicago library.

There are still a few libraries where you can join by mail.

[Shopaholic]

Originally Posted by Filark

Thank you for this link -- very interesting! Essentially the whole ebooks industry continues to be in a state of flux. I only hope libraries and the public they serve come out ahead in the end.

Fbone, how can Sydney's Mom (or anyone??) purchase a CPL card? Where id you get that information?

It's in the link I posted - http://www.chipublib.org/howto/library_card.php. It appears that only Illinois non-reciprocal residents can buy it. I don't think anyone outside the State can buy it though. It almost even sounds like Sydney's Mom can't buy it as she's a reciprocal resident. Bummer!

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by Shopaholic

It's in the link I posted - http://www.chipublib.org/howto/library_card.php. It appears that only Illinois non-reciprocal residents can buy it. I don't think anyone outside the State can buy it though. It almost even sounds like Sydney's Mom can't buy it as she's a reciprocal resident. Bummer!

I saw that - I considered it, but I didn't feel right about it. Through property taxes, I pay for my library. I don't pay anything to CPL, and they just went through some terrible budget cuts - most libraries are now closed on Mondays. 185 librarians were laid off.*

I work only about 3 blocks from the main branch of the CPL. I thought about going there and talking them into selling me a library card. But given the number of books I was taking out, $100 doesn't really pay for it.

And before anyone starts to feel sorry for me, I had 3 CPL library cards. About a year ago, I made my husband and my daughter get CPL cards. What is that old saying? Oh yes:

Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.

*This reminds me to get mad all over again because in tough economic times, cuts come from people who really need the services. But, if I go off on that rant, a moderator will just move this thread.

[SeaBookGuy]

I thought most places give cards to people who work in the municipality, along with residents?

[Sydney's Mom]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

I thought most places give cards to people who work in the municipality, along with residents?

I think only places like NYC, who have a city tax. Chicago doesn't.

[luvshihtzu]

As far as I know, you can still join the Free Library of Philadelphia for a fee for out of area memberships. They had one month this fall that free memberships were given out.

http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com...en/Default.htm

Try them.

[ProfCrash]

I would buy the $100 card and then make a donation if you feel that is appropriate.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I would buy the $100 card and then make a donation if you feel that is appropriate.

However, chances are that the $100 card has the same limitations as the reciprocal card.

[ProfCrash]

Then I would not buy it. But if it does allow her to check out the e-books, essentially the $100 fee replaces the property tax, then it would be well worth it. At the very least, I would look into it.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

When I was a kid, I loved, loved, loved libraries. Then I quit going to libraries for pleasure reading. Since I got an ereader, I discovered libraries again, and really think digital is the future of the library. I think CPL really does it right.

I really, really miss CPL.

I feel for you. I'd sure hate to lose reciprocity for digital content, because that's all I use libraries for these days.

[Sydney's Mom]

I went in person to the CPL this morning, and asked to buy a $100 non-reciprocal card. They said no.

Tubemonkey, that is the only thing I use the library for, as well. Ebooks. And I think that is the future.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

I went in person to the CPL this morning, and asked to buy a $100 non-reciprocal card. They said no.

Tubemonkey, that is the only thing I use the library for, as well. Ebooks. And I think that is the future.

Wow, they're really clamping down on the availability of e-services.

I agree with you; the future is digital. For me, the internet killed off my visits to the library. I used to go several times a week to read magazines, browse through the books, and then check out some of each. With the net, I was able to get my magazine fix in the comfort of my home. For books, I'd reserve them online and then go to the library long enough to pick them up. Now that ebooks are so readily available, there isn't anything a library has to offer that would compel me to set foot inside.

My use of public libraries is now 100% digital. If the physical buildings disappeared tomorrow, it wouldn't affect me at all.

[Sydney's Mom]

[QUOTE=tubemonkey;1917350] For books, I'd reserve them online and then go to the library long enough to pick them up. Now that ebooks are so readily available, there isn't anything a library has to offer that would compel me to set foot inside.
QUOTE]


I agree. Now I don't even have to take a shower to check out a book

[Fbone]

I do worry that with Overdrive's price increases more libraries will cut back or eliminate their digital selections. Most libraries cannot handle a 400% increase that Overdrive is demanding.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Fbone

I do worry that with Overdrive's price increases more libraries will cut back or eliminate their digital selections. Most libraries cannot handle a 400% increase that Overdrive is demanding.

If OverDrive wants to price themselves out of existence, let 'em. They're not the only game in town. Other options include:

• another service to compete with OverDrive
• increased use of public domain
• indie authors
• free and low cost books from providers