Do You Use Your Public Library?

[HeyHomie]

Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois

I've had a library card in every town I've lived in ever since I was about seven years old. I'm at my town's library at least twice a week, just wandering around hoping something will fly off the shelves at me.

They have a system where they borrow books from other libraries in central Illinois, so if they don't have what you want they'll likely get it from somewhere else. I have a book out now that they borrowed from a university library.

Really the only time I buy books any more is if I know the library will have a long waitining list (like for Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket).

So yeah, I patronize my library quite a bit. How about you?

 

[Tricia4Jesus]

I do. I love the library. Ah what a concept!

 

[jenptcfan]

My local library is awful!

The electronic card catalog is terrible. It lists all of the books they have in the whole county library system and it doesn't show which of the books are actually in the library you're using the card catalog at. So it'll say that there are 10 of a certain book available, but you'll go look for them and there aren't any because they're all scattered throughout different libraries.

It's very frustrating! I don't go very often because I just think it's too rediculous. If it weren't for that I'd go a lot more though.

 

[Nienor]

I go once or twice a week. Most the time, I'd rather not buy books. Also, the library has a large amount of manga and comic books, and it's really nice to be able to check them out.

 

[hls]

i go to the library all the time. i don't buy books very often so i go to the library a lot!

 

[Letalis]

So yeah, I patronize my library quite a bit. How about you?

We have the inter-library check out also. I only go to the library after having requested a book I want online and picking it up (because the books at our library are awful). I have about 23 books checked out right now.

 

[lillybug0514]

Our library is set up very badly. It is hard to find books that you want and they dont have too big a selection. I do go, but right now I have a fine and havent been in a while.

 

[CarrieAg93]

We go at least once a week. I allow my kids 2 books and 2 videos a week. Every time I would buy them a new book they'd loose interest after about a week anyway so library books are great. If I don't know what book(s) I want or can't find them in a minute or two I'll go back another day during the week to get books for me. My kids are too young for me to just browse for an extended period of time.

 

[thepinkpencil3]

I never use the library right here in town, but occasionally I visit the library downtown. Usually it's over the summer or when I am searching for a really specific book. I always have to renew them...

 

[tanya88]

Yeah, I love the library!!!! I spend a lot of time in it.

 

[country woman]

Yes all the time. I use the pc there

 

[soblessed53]

ABSOLUTELY! I love my public libray, and have used it since moving here in '68! It comes in handy to check a book out to decide if it is worth ordering as a "keeper",and reading some that I know I would enjoy,but am not really interested in owning. We also have a very large inter-library loan system,so if my library doesn't have something,almost without exception it can be gotten from one of the other libraries. I usually reserve everything online now and go pick it up when it comes in. Plus now,it is getting so many DVDs in, so it's great to get movies for a week free, and can check out up to 10 on a library card!

 

[Heavenlyangeleyes07]

Yes i visit our local libarary often.

 

[Buckeye]

The Columbus Ohio library system was recently voted #1 in the country for similar sized cities. I have to agree.

The catalog can be accessed via the internet. i can see what books are available at what branches and have books/cds/dvds, etc. transferred to the branch of my choice. When they're ready for pick up I get an email telling me so (automated phone calls are also an option). I get an email a day or two prior to a due date so I don't go overdue and I can renew items via the internet.

I'm there 2-3 times a week.

 

[Ellesar]

during the summer when I'm at home, I usually go to the library about once a month...mainly because we get to check out books for a month. everytime I go to the library, I usually end up checking out about 30 books. so I usually read at least 90 books in one summer

 

[DividedWeFall]

I go to the library whenever i can, well did, I've lost my card which is very frustrating. My library is Shoalhaven City Library and the book catalogs there is pretty good i think, it will easily find your book for you, also it will show you if that book is at any of the other libraries in the area and they will get you the book from another library or buy the book if they don't have it. Also they have the Book Mobile which is like a large van that goes to all the outlying towns so people who wouldn't be able to get into the library as often as they like can borrow from the Book Mobile.
It's fantastic.

 

[texmex]

I go to my library all the time! During the summer I was there everyday. Now I only go a few times a month.

 

[Overtime_man]

In my younger days I used the library quite a lot, but I rarely go there anymore. I live just a few minutes away from a massive bookstore, and almost anything that I've needed in the past, they've always had in stock. I do occasionally use some of the libraries when I need certain reference material for my job. When you only need a small portion of the book, it makes sense to just photocopy the relevant pages, rather than shell out a few hundred dollars on some obscure reference text or dictionary that you're never going to need again.

 

[VickiY]

It varies....I can go book happy at the local library for a few months, going there nearly every week, for about 10 books at a time, and then lose interest, and buy my books. When I am there, however, I tend to wander to see if something interests me, rather than actually searching for books.

 

[markbelieves]

Yes, I use the public library quite often. One of my earliest memories was going to the library with my Mother and Aunt every Friday.

I take my son with me to the library at least once a week now.

Mark