Is this right?

[abookreader]

Well I'm noticing the OP's location is Chicago which makes me wonder if it was a Chicago Public Library branch? If so, they probably just pulled a copy from another branch because that is a fairly popular book. If not, there is nothing wrong and everything right about polling your clientele over what they want to see stocked on the shelves. Public libraries are there to serve the users - not some best books reading list that exists in the mind of the person in charge of acquisitions and matches his/her favorite books nearly point for point.

I've heard it suggested before that libraries should serve the poor primarily and it rankles me. Libraries are there to serve the community. I have no problem with programs that ease access and encourage use amongst those with income or accessibility issues. In fact, I strongly support those types of drives.

But the day a library starts turning community members away from their door is the day I no longer will be a fan of the Public library.

[Sydney's Mom]

Great comments! Thank you all, and sorry about the one-sided poll - don't know what I was thinking.

I guess this is like when I was little and my folks moved one block from a library, and I thought they moved there for me. You are all right - if a patron of any sort requested a book, I am sure they would react.

I don't live in Chicago, but a tiny village in the burbs. We have a tiny library to serve less than 8000 people. But I just got our copy of Calico Joe, and I am very, very happy.

I am sorry for thinking libraries are just book repositories. I know locally, the librarian asks for my daughter by name every time I go in.

I guess if libraries are funded through property taxes, it is already a pay to play situation. I pay more than someone less fortunate and less than someone more fortunate.

[elemenoP]

Well, a lot of people don't think to contribute to the library at all so you are doing a good thing!

eP

[carpetmojo]

Sorry, but this must rank among the worse polls ever, in what's asked, the options given, and anything else you care to offer.
However, it has shown the huge support, need, and status libraries (phys or e ) still hold among almost all who read.Thank goodness.
And well done Mum of Sydney, for fronting up !

[The Terminator]

I have pretty much stopped using the online Library now, if I want the book I'll just buy it.

[JoeD]

As long as libraries have a limited number of copies of each book or ebook, I think the more affluent will always favour buying and getting instant access to waiting in a queue. Sure there will be exceptions too, but I don't think income should exclude someone from library books if they choose to use the service.

Whilst libraries receive tax money though, I don't think there should be any restriction on who can make use of the service.

[danskmacabre]

Libraries are an invaluable resource for everyone. Sadly people don't use them as much.
They offer a lot more than books as well. Or at least in the UK they do.

[plib]

Originally Posted by Sydney's Mom

Great comments! Thank you all, and sorry about the one-sided poll - don't know what I was thinking.

So either change it or delete it? If that's possible.

[Penforhire]

Poll is missing my answer, free access for all residents regardless of income.

[danskmacabre]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

Poll is missing my answer, free access for all residents regardless of income.

Absolutely agreed.

[plib]

Originally Posted by danskmacabre

Absolutely agreed.

Also. +3

[spindlegirl]

I prefer the old fashioned kind of PUBLIC library, the kind where you borrow books.

I would hate to see our culture crumble, one item at a time....

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by Phogg

In other places libraries run entirely on donations and fundraisers.

Wow. Where is that?

As for wealthy people using the library, some may donate almost dollar to dollar more to charity because of borrowing books rather than buying. A few of them are undoubtedly so charitable that they donate more to the local library alone than the retail cost of what they borrow. And maybe this year's miser will donate a million towards a new branch next year. I don't see any value is becoming judgmental about who uses the library.

And with eBooks (and journals), where libraries are charged much more than retail, there is an especially weak case for thinking that affluent library users are stiffing someone.

[BookCat]

Libraries should be entirely free at the point of use; a public service regardless of income.

The basic funding should be from the public purse, whether that be a local tax of some kind, or part of income tax. But definitely no pay to borrow.

I couldn't vote - no option for me.

[Xanthe]

How should libraries be run?

Pay to play
If you can afford to buy books, don't use the library
Who uses the library?
We shouldn't even have libraries - I am a publisher

None of the above.