Are public libraries inadequate?

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

FJ, can't we do both? I was a literacy tutor on and off for more than thirty years, most recently through Read O.C.. Can't I still curse the darkness?

Sure. If you think cursing is worth the effort.
Me, I'm more of a fan of primal screams.

Let me put it another way: there are *big* problems all around us and more headed our way: Big problems we can do nothing about and that are still likely to drag us into serious trouble.
Happy days these aren't.
We can either focus on what we can't do and give up, or look for something we *can* do to push back. Even a little bit. For our own sanity's sake.

As to too many creators: is there really such a thing?
Maybe its because my core reading subject is Science Fiction--the literature of ideas--but I can't see how there can be too many ideas floating around, too many thoughts (serious or otherwise), too many stories. Just because *I* will never be exposed to all of them doesn't mean *somebody* won't be exposed to the ones I miss. And maybe be inspired.
I see ideas as dandelion seeds floating in the wind; sooner or later some will land in fertile soil. The strong and useful will survive and spread.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Sure. If you think cursing is worth the effort.
Me, I'm more of a fan of primal screams.

Let me put it another way: there are *big* problems all around us and more headed our way: Big problems we can do nothing about and that are still likely to drag us into serious trouble.
Happy days these aren't.

Yes there are problems, although solutions are better.

But given that, shouldn't we not have to worry about something as trivial as "unauthorized" ebook lending and instead focus on other things like ecology?

[taming]

An interesting read on the Calgary library here: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ca...937/story.html

From the article:

"Libraries are not about format," Hardy says. "We're not about books - we're about readers and reading and learners and learning.

And all that kind of stuff. I think if we remember that, and our customers remember that, they'll understand . . . what libraries are about and will continue to be about that in the future."

What's surprising is that these days, libraries are not only good for you and your kids, they're also kind of fun.

"When you talk about kids and their world today," Hardy says, "when you talk about planning for the future of the Calgary Public Library - we are planning the library that they will remember in their childhood."

And what's even more heartening to discover is that while libraries around the world - including Calgary's - have been reinventing themselves to adapt to the digital revolution, they are also transforming themselves through the vision and needs of the people they serve.

"In Canada, we lead in programming - especially in Calgary," Hardy says.

"You don't come to the library to ask about what's the population of Uganda or anything like that. You don't have to do that anymore - so the way that we provide information has changed, and I think programming is a part of that.

"We really carefully select the programs that we do, for adults and for kids, and it's based on community needs and what's relevant at the time."

EDIT: The Calgary library is celebrating its 100th birthday. There are some articles about the library, its purpose and future here: http://www.calgaryherald.com/search/...html?q=library

[VaporPunk]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

Given that all knowledge can currently be distributed digitally and instantaneously, are most nations library systems adequately equipped to handle the demand for information?

No. But more so than 20 years ago, or even a decade ago.

I consider my home a library. I have lotsa books and a broadband connection. I even lend books to people. I mean, aren't we all mini libraries when you think about it? And collectively, we are mighty indeed.

[Lynx-lynx]

Giggleton, my local library is run by my local Council, and there is a main library and 7 sub branches in various suburbs.

The main library is open 7 days a week and till 9pm on weeknights.

People love these libraries and they always have people in them (with greater numbers during certain peak periods).

So, as to your question - the following simply informs re library content and sources:

- content includes volumes and volumes of books, fiction and non-fiction, going back decades until the very present (with a good Stack section), research materials eg newspaper search software, genealogy research materials, etc etc etc

- soft content eg talking books, cd's, dvd's, tapes

- computers, printers, wifi, bluetooth.

- Freegal - online download of 3 free music tracks per week - no DRM and yours to keep

- Ebooks - very small number, and as yet no direct link to Guttenberg or other free sources

In other words - my library is a typical 'old fasioned' style library as well as a 'modern' library.

So - in answer to your question 'are most nations library systems adequately equipped to handle the demand for information' is a YES for my library - and I hope that it continues to re-invent itself and can't see why it's progressive nature as a source of new and old technologies wouldn't continue to co-exist.

Perhaps I should also mention that the library presents training sessions on the use of ereaders, tablets and general research frequently. These are free sessions, as is membership of the library and borrowing any materials.

I am a frequent user of my library.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by VaporPunk

No. But more so than 20 years ago, or even a decade ago.

I consider my home a library. I have lotsa books and a broadband connection. I even lend books to people. I mean, aren't we all mini libraries when you think about it? And collectively, we are mighty indeed.

I think so, we are all librarians too...

[Penforhire]

I should mention I saw a dedicated mobile trailer (forget if it was an LA county effort) at a Long Beach street fair a few months ago. It was all set up to show how to use e-readers (maybe a dozen tethered e-readers), showed video information on large flat-screens, and provided training on accessing their on-line system. That was a nifty idea and it was well staffed. Haven't seen it since.