I found an article today that mentioned that libraries actually lend more DVDs a day than Netflix (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/20100728/tc_ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_tc3273) I would never have guessed.
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Posted 1 year ago #
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The main branch of our city library has quiet rooms that you can book on-line: when I'm working to deadline and there's too much uproar at my house (we've had road resurfacing this week), I can book a room on-line, and after 10 minutes on the bus I have a room to myself for a few hours.
There's also a coffee shop that has tables in the periodicals section; that section looks out over the fountains and garden on the Plaza, and you can watch the crews working on the old building that's now becoming the Science Museum.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I use my library for reading all those beloved magazines that I've stopped buying some years ago (I used to subscribe to one or max two at a time, but it became too insane both budget- and recycling-wise). Now I can flick through old issues of the same magazine that I've missed and dig into a huge array of others within the same category as well as new acquaintances entirely. Absolutely love it! And when they are old enough we get to read them at home too.
Dvd's and cd's are great to borrow. Often a movie is such that I only want to see it once and often an artist has only one or two outstanding tracks on their album, so it's nice not to be forced to buy all of them. iTunes for instance lets you single out only individual tracks once you know which ones to go after. Budget friendly and no extra clutter produced in tracks you don't like.
Travel guides are wonderful to borrow in advance. I like to have my own copy when I go, but first I need to determine which of all common guides covers my needs on that particular trip. Don't want to drag along a tile when I'm away only over the weekend for instance. And there are others than Lonely Planet, people. I think Footprint and Rough Guides are very good too, to name a couple.
Our city library has actually started up a section of sports gear. Now you can borrow for instance the stick thingies for nordic walking - great if you're unsure whether you'll like the sport or not. And if you're going away once a year to ski somewhere, you really don't have to invest huge money, but can take a pair out for a week or so. How great is that!
I used to read a lot more before becoming a uni student, but now I very rarely pick up a novel, but I'm sure I'll go back to the fiction section once "real work" is a part of my daily routine again.
There was a time when I didn't have net connection at home, so I used the library computers on and off. Great service.
I'd be the first on any barricade if there was a threat against closing my libraries.
Posted 1 year ago # -
This topic has me remembering what wonderful places libraries are. Now I want to go to y'all's towns and hang out in ALL of them!
Here are a few other things that I've found useful in libraries:
They have copiers.
Genealogical records.
Art check-outs for schools.
Display spaces for schoolkid model-building competitions such as Future Cities.
Bookstore/gift shops for interesting shopping opportunities (calendars, etc)
Meeting rooms (no needs to clean house for that committee meeting)
Speakers and performances
Traveling shows of historical artifacts, sculpture, photographs,literary items or kids' creations.
People-watching opportunities.Posted 1 year ago # -
At this time of the year, AIR CONDITIONING!!!
(but truthfully, a lot more. Many of the things already mentioned. Recently our library provided access to Consumer Reports; that's a good thing, plus it's always had another consumer magazine, Checkbook. There are movies there, a book club in which they pick a book for a period of time and invite the entire community to read it and then have events and discussions scheduled around it, DVD rentals--OK, so I'm 254 in line to see something, but it'll just be like an unexpected present when I get the email saying it's ready for me cuz I'll have forgotten about it by then!)
Posted 1 year ago # -
This probably isn't the norm but my library also has a grand piano!!! No you can't check it out but you can reserve an hour online and then go to the central library and practice!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Our local library is actually part of a larger city-county system. You can go online and reserve books (and other media) from any of the 25 branches, and have it sent to your local branch for pickup. It takes a couple of days, but it gives me access to a much wider variety.
@MSPunclutterer - our central library has a grand piano too! It's actually on a stage in a small auditorium. I love booking an hour to play, even though I'm not the best it's a great way to escape.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I LOVE my library. I just recently rediscovered the library and was kicking myself for spending so much money on books in the past. No more! I just culled my books and donated about 28 book to the library that the library has. I keep track of all the books I own and want to read on shelfari.com so I used that to keep track of the ones I gave away so I can check them out later to read. I use the library website to put books on hold and then I just go pick them up. I can't get rid of my internet, b/c my boyfriend needs it for work and they pay for it, if I had to though, I would just use the library, I won't pay for internet as long as there is a library with decent free wifi. Generally when i am done reading a book I donate it to the library, unless I know someone who might want it. they have a large sale every year to raise money for the library.
back in my home town, I used to get DVDs and CDs at the library all the time. I don't mind buying some books from thrift stores like older science fiction that the library might not have, but other than that, I don't waste my money on a book unless I have checked the library for it first.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I was just looking at my Library website, and they have practice tests. They can help anyone from elementary school through college and GED and even citizenship prep tests. this is so cool b/c I have a couple of placement tests I haven't taken yet at my community college that I need to take before I can take any English or math classes.
Posted 1 year ago # -
All the things people said, plus foreign newspapers (back when I had time to sit and read) and lots of local music. Oh, and series books - there's nothing more frustrating than picking up an interesting book at the new book store and realizing it's book 6 or 7 and they don't have the first few in stock anymore.
As a mom, I have avoided the "I hate this movie my kid wants to watch every day" thing by getting DVDs at the library - they all go back in a week. He has a few he re-requests right after we take them back, but we still get a few weeks break in between.
We go to the library 2 or 3 times a week; we went last Saturday and it was Lego Mania day, which made my kid super duper happy.
The library here doesn't do this, but in my home town the library had an art collection you could check out :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I don't think my current Library does the art thing, but the one in my hometown also did it, which I thought was really cool.
Posted 1 year ago #
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