Are libraries finished? - Page 3

tubemonkey · 02-14-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

You don't use library buildings so stuff 'em... very socially responsible but as you also vote against library funding then I take it that you don't give a damn for anyone else or worse off than yourself...

Being very socially responsible also means spending limited tax dollars wisely. Funding 27 branches is not wise spending.

Girl Read Write · 02-14-2011, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Increasing numbers of local libraries are being predominantly supported by volunteer staff... people who believe in supporting their local communities...

This is so true. I volunteer a few hours a week at the main branch (of which there are about five, total) in my city, and in the department where I work, there is only ONE full-time employee. The rest are ALL volunteers. Other departments rely heavily on people working for free, as well. Without volunteer staff, many libraries probably wouldn't have been able to hold on as long as they have.

I love libraries. Always have. Some of my fondest memories from childhood involve my mom taking me to the public library to browse and check out books. If it means volunteering for four hours per week to help keep the libraries in business, then I'll do it gladly. And there are plenty more who, like me, are willing to volunteer. Like someone else said, they aren't JUST places to check out books these days. Some branches sell used books for dirt cheap, some locations have basic skills classes and other forms of educational outreach, they provide lectures, book signings, free Internet access for those who don't have it...in other words, they're a community hub.

Maggie Leung · 02-14-2011, 06:33 AM

I've never been a big library user, but I happily pay taxes toward them. I'd be willing to pay more if the money were directed toward libraries.

DDHarriman · 02-14-2011, 07:59 AM

Hello

To the main question of this thread “Are libraries finished?” the answer is very simple: NO!

Best regards,

jbcohen · 02-14-2011, 08:41 AM

I have become convinced lately that there is no need for me to run all over town buying my family the things that we need. I rather site back and pay a few bucks for those things to come to me. In the past few years I have set foot in approximatly 10% of the stores that I used to, simply have little need for them anymore. Have not set foot in a library in the past few years either, why bother going to the library when it comes to me at my beck and call. I see little need for physcial libraries any more, why bother twist my schedule around the library's hours when it will happily twist itself around me.

Only stores I go to anymore:

grocery stores - I know I can order these online but its not cost effective;
drug store - can do online but its next to the grocery so might as well
reasturants - Can be done online in some cases but not all, I do the ordering online where its available and go to the ones when its not

elcreative · 02-14-2011, 08:45 AM

Apologies, didn't realise until I re-read and saw tax DOLLARS... I know when I'm wasting my time...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Being very socially responsible also means spending limited tax dollars wisely. Funding 27 branches is not wise spending.

athlonkmf · 02-14-2011, 09:02 AM

Yesterday I've read a newsarticle about how about 60-70% of the libraries here are being closed.
And people are saddened because "they've lost a place to meet people".

I haven't rented a book for ages, because it's easier and faster for me to find&download the book than to go to the library. Not to mention, the collection @internet is immensely larger than the library itself.
At least I don't need to make reservations to a book, and especially don't have to cope with dried up food between the pages...

tubemonkey · 02-14-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Apologies, didn't realise until I re-read and saw tax DOLLARS... I know when I'm wasting my time...

The stuff doesn't grow on trees.

watershawl · 02-14-2011, 09:19 AM

Libraries could be moved into museums to share physical space, but I don't think they should go away completely - nor will they ever go away completely.

Richey79 · 02-14-2011, 04:09 PM

Libraries are far more important than museums and, in my opinion, each small town needs its own library that is open six days a week for at least some of each day.

Those 'with funds' don't need libraries at all. Those without do; and if they have to travel far they will simply not use them. This will leave many people cut off from wider society - even more so now that Post-Offices that aren't profitable enough are routinely shut down, despite the service they provide to the community.

kbrand · 02-15-2011, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richey79

Those 'with funds' don't need libraries at all. Those without do;

You were not the first to say it, so sorry for using your quote...

What is up with all the talk about those without, less fortunate, poorer and so on. I have "funds" and I visit the library 1-2 times a week. I have money so I should quit going to the library? Maybe I should stop visiting the parks as well. I know, I can build my own roads...I have funds, and I need my library.

Our Library has made itself very culturaly relevant, and it is visited by all sorts of people. I think Libraries just need to continue to evolve and they will be fine. The can't just remain the brick and mortor places they used to be. Fortunately my library is doing an excellent job of this.

pagansoul · 02-15-2011, 08:56 AM

When I was a kid, till I was out of school, I spent a lot of time at the local library. Now I never go. Everything to do with reading is done on-line but not everyone has access to the internet. My mother, as a retired senior, uses it all the time as a place to get books and socialize. I hope they don't go away, I don't think they will but they will change in order to survive.

Latinandgreek · 02-15-2011, 10:25 AM

I go to the library about twice a week on average, I'd say. I've always been a big library user.

tubemonkey · 02-15-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagansoul

When I was a kid, till I was out of school, I spent a lot of time at the local library. Now I never go.

Before I hooked up to the net, I went to the library several times a week. Once I got the net, I stopped going. It no longer held any interest for me.

Namekuseijin · 02-15-2011, 11:09 AM

yes.

Kinda like University too. It's a historical accident and makes no sense now that information is so widespread and readily available to all. Of course, being forced into it in exchange for a paper which says are elligible to getting a big paycheck may be more convincing than studying by yourself rather than hanging around in facebook all day long...

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02-14-2011, 06:33 AM	#33
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	I've never been a big library user, but I happily pay taxes toward them. I'd be willing to pay more if the money were directed toward libraries.

02-14-2011, 07:59 AM	#34
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hello To the main question of this thread “Are libraries finished?” the answer is very simple: NO! Best regards,

02-14-2011, 08:41 AM	#35
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	I have become convinced lately that there is no need for me to run all over town buying my family the things that we need. I rather site back and pay a few bucks for those things to come to me. In the past few years I have set foot in approximatly 10% of the stores that I used to, simply have little need for them anymore. Have not set foot in a library in the past few years either, why bother going to the library when it comes to me at my beck and call. I see little need for physcial libraries any more, why bother twist my schedule around the library's hours when it will happily twist itself around me. Only stores I go to anymore: grocery stores - I know I can order these online but its not cost effective; drug store - can do online but its next to the grocery so might as well reasturants - Can be done online in some cases but not all, I do the ordering online where its available and go to the ones when its not

02-14-2011, 09:02 AM	#37
athlonkmf Guru Posts: 714 Karma: 1014039 Join Date: May 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3, Sony PRS350, iPad 64GB	Yesterday I've read a newsarticle about how about 60-70% of the libraries here are being closed. And people are saddened because "they've lost a place to meet people". I haven't rented a book for ages, because it's easier and faster for me to find&download the book than to go to the library. Not to mention, the collection @internet is immensely larger than the library itself. At least I don't need to make reservations to a book, and especially don't have to cope with dried up food between the pages...

02-14-2011, 09:19 AM	#39
watershawl Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 40 Join Date: May 2010 Device: nook	Libraries could be moved into museums to share physical space, but I don't think they should go away completely - nor will they ever go away completely.

02-14-2011, 04:09 PM	#40
Richey79 mrkrgnao Posts: 241 Karma: 237248 Join Date: May 2010 Device: PRS650, K3 Wireless, Galaxy S3, iPad 3.	Libraries are far more important than museums and, in my opinion, each small town needs its own library that is open six days a week for at least some of each day. Those 'with funds' don't need libraries at all. Those without do; and if they have to travel far they will simply not use them. This will leave many people cut off from wider society - even more so now that Post-Offices that aren't profitable enough are routinely shut down, despite the service they provide to the community.

02-15-2011, 08:56 AM	#42
pagansoul Fanatic Posts: 509 Karma: 1098204 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Earth Device: iPhone5, iPad Gen3, Kobo, Kindle Fire, Kobo Vox. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7	When I was a kid, till I was out of school, I spent a lot of time at the local library. Now I never go. Everything to do with reading is done on-line but not everyone has access to the internet. My mother, as a retired senior, uses it all the time as a place to get books and socialize. I hope they don't go away, I don't think they will but they will change in order to survive.

02-15-2011, 10:25 AM	#43
Latinandgreek Warrior Princess Posts: 5,038 Karma: 9724231 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-505; PRS-350, PRS-T1, iPad, Aura HD	I go to the library about twice a week on average, I'd say. I've always been a big library user.

02-15-2011, 11:09 AM	#45
Namekuseijin affordable chipmunk Posts: 1,290 Karma: 9863855 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brazil Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite	yes. Kinda like University too. It's a historical accident and makes no sense now that information is so widespread and readily available to all. Of course, being forced into it in exchange for a paper which says are elligible to getting a big paycheck may be more convincing than studying by yourself rather than hanging around in facebook all day long...

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