Public Libraries and what they're for

Post by **spot** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:57 am

I keep hearing of threats to close public libraries.

On the other hand, I just read a cheery account at DeKalb library to stay open thanks to 12-year-old - "After complaints from residents and a petition with 100 signatures collected by 12-year-old Sekondi Landry, the library board of trustees decided to keep the library open". Sekondi Landry deserves a medal. The library board of trustees, on the other hand, sound a pretty dozy bunch. Why aren't they sending a librarian to placard the local council eight hours a day?

M.A.S · Post by **M.A.S** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:36 am

the new generation is interested in e-books more that the normal books and libraries....

that's why some of people (i'm not one of them :guitarist) think that libraries aren't important anymore..

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:46 am

Oh not so sure about that my granddaughter who will be 13 next month loves libraries and bookstores. The e-reader require carrying something that can be stolen or broken, or you have to read at a laptop or PC. Paperback books are cheap portable and easier to hold and read.

I'm not impressed with e-readers sorry but you can't see the print on any of them no matter what they say. Now audio books I like but still would rather read a hand held book.

I hope libraries never become a thing of the past.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:49 am

Not every parent can afford to buy their kids e-books (are you going to give a six year old an e-book to play with? Nowadays that's equivalent of a tank of petrol you're giving them) even less pay to download books always assumimg they have a computer in the first place - the libraries are shut where you used to be able to use a computer for free.

Personally any idiot that thinks libraries should be shut because everybody has a computer and anyway they never used them when they were kids should be beaten to death with a kindle. I still use libraries and read books I would otherwise not probably buy because of the expense and still find new authors because of it. Where else can you take out four or five books find that you didn't like it but it doesn't matter because you haven't bought it. Keep the libraries cut the salaries of the councillors instead. The numpties where I lve decided giving laptops to primary schools was a great idea. Average lifespan in use was about a month.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:11 pm

I think in hard times, they try to cut costs starting with libraries and other public services. I think it is not a positive way to save money. I use my library every week, and know I couldn't afford all the e-books I would want if I had one of those gadgets. I read 3 or more books a week.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:12 am

Thanks to the 1p reduction in petrol duty we can now afford to drive around and point out to tourists, that's where the library used to be, that was the swimming pool----.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:03 pm

I remember how proud I was to get my first library card as a child. And to step inside a library and see all those books to choose from. And the responsibilty of returning that book I chose to read on time.

The Library History Buff

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 3:10 am

chonsigirl;1356271 wrote: I think in hard times, they try to cut costs starting with libraries and other public services. I think it is not a positive way to save money. I use my library every week, and know I couldn't afford all the e-books I would want if I had one of those gadgets. I read 3 or more books a week.

I'm the same as you - more to the point I probably wouldn't read such a wide variety of authors. Maybe having lending libraries for e-books might be a way round it.

My local library has reading groups and the like for local kids, you find yourself queueing up behind excited little kids clutching books like they are something precious. It's quite a nice atmosphere.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 12:52 pm

It is a nice place to be-it is an enchanted place where reading can take you anywhere.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 4:47 pm

I tried to post this several times with no luck. It's an NPR story I heard some time ago.

How Librarians Can Save The World : NPR

I tried to put in a quote, but something wouldn't let me. :-3

Post by **spot** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 6:11 pm

Accountable;1356425 wrote: I tried to put in a quote, but something wouldn't let me. :-3ForumGarden absolutely and humiliatingly apologizes. We do know about the 500 Internal Server Error, we're removing the cause but it's not an instant switch from bad to good. Every time it bites someone we wince. I assume that's what got you?

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:07 pm

Yeh I think so.