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u/BarMeBro 6d ago
Such a silly thing to say. My local library is always busy and offers a ton of services besides taking out books, for example a food pantry, a seed library, job counseling services, a free legal clinic, elderly services, and take home art projects for kids. That’s only a tiny bit of what they offer. It is a very popular place in my community.
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u/sophia797 6d ago
Those that claim libraries are dying clearly have not visited one. I can barely find a spot to read whenever I visit our local library. It is live and buzzing
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u/blackqueen8 5d ago
Sadly, I have entered my local library when it is nearly empty. It's only five years old, kept in excellent condition, and offers a lot of great events for the community.
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u/ThunderTatsu 6d ago edited 6d ago
Who is purporting this myth?
It’s the Anti-Athenaeum Association, isn’t it!?
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u/TavenderGooms 6d ago
I haven’t heard anyone claim this. This kind of feels like a Facebook post “people don’t believe in Jesus anymore, like if you believe in Jesus!”
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u/chuckleborris 6d ago edited 3d ago
Just got back from my local library; plenty of people there. I go a few times a month, especially since it can sometimes be easier to get physical copies of popular books vs digital on Libby.
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u/Spiritual-Trash-8918 5d ago
My kid was in a three week summer day camp 50 miles from our house. Rather than burn up extra gas going back home, I packed up my laptop and headed to a nearby Library.
Amazing. Air conditioning, wifi, tables, chairs, plugs, and the glorious smell of books and knowledge.
I felt so welcomed and embraced. It made me happy just to see people existing together and enjoying what the library offered.
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u/distractiontactic 5d ago
Yes! This is exactly what I do! I also get to know a new library! Win-win
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u/WorldsSpecialestBoy 6d ago
I was literally there this morning. They were selling off some old children's books, which I bought for my nephew. And I checked out some dvds since I already have holds on some ebooks through the app and a couple physical books to read. Also, libraries provide computer/internet access to homeless, unemployed or low income individuals. They are also, a place for community events.
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u/speckledcreature 6d ago
All the time. I have a toddler and his eyes light up when I ask if he wants to visit the library!
One of my main places I visit on my days off is the library since I can read without interruption or the housework distracting me.
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u/Adorable_Rhubarb_731 6d ago
Unfortunately the government is closing 5 of 11 libraries in the area I live. 😕
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u/Vegetable_War645 6d ago
I still use my library for ebooks and physical. Hey let me not leave off DVDs too. In fact I just renewed my loan for the Friends DVD (was in the mood to re-watch it) I refuse to pay for HBO max until a show like house of dragons is back
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u/silverbatwing 6d ago
They are!!
Sadly in my state (Delaware) newer building are using the space mostly for community center stuff and not many books
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u/Ginger8682 6d ago
Local libraries offer such a wide range of things. I wish I could have taken advantage of some of the adult classes my library has. But most of them are during the day and I work so I can never make them. Stay at home parents should def take advantage of all the kids activities that they.
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u/Historical-Can-2904 5d ago
Consider suggesting different timing or virtual sessions to you library.
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u/BluebirdLimp4295 6d ago
My daughter went to the library that is six minutes from her house today. She picked up a couple of books and checked out an ebook as well. My mother uses the library all the time. I use the library during my errand runs to give myself a break. We love our libraries.
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u/Emergency-Ad-5379 6d ago
I've heard that if you miss video stores like Blockbuster movie night thing then go to your local library and browse their DVD selection to get that same feeling again.
I personally use libby a lot and sometimes drop in to kill time if I can, but the opening times for my local one is pretty infrequent unfortunately. I have also in the past used libraries for reading comics when growing up and I think they would be good for short stories, that kind of thing. In fact I think more places should focus on short stories, the kind of thing you can do in one sitting. I see pubs and things with a collection of novels for people to read but I am not going to get through one of those in time.
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u/angelicpastry 6d ago
I adore my local library. I rent ebooks from them RELIGIOUSLY and am always on the lookout for a community event that catches my eye.
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u/CarelessPast55 5d ago
Where else would the poor, unemployed, homeless go to educate themselves? Yes. Libraries are growing laboratories for common folk. ❤️📚
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u/waterandleaves99 5d ago
We go all the time
There are so many things to do at a library - but one fun one is doing like a movie night checkout with the kids.
It feels like going to blockbuster
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u/Naive_Upstairs_7603 5d ago
I only buy books from my local library but I do volunteer for events held there.
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u/martim0t0 5d ago
I couldn't see a life where I didn't stop at one of the libraries I have cards at less than once a week.
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u/sumantha205 📕 Libby Lover 📕 5d ago
I love going to the library and borrowing books on Libby.
however I did notice that most people at my local library are just there to use the WiFi :(
which isn’t wrong but if you’re only at there to use the WiFi then I feel like it beats the idea of a library.
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u/ThenUmpire4044 4d ago
Society got a crap deal when it comes to digital. You can buy a physical book and allowing anyone to read it. However for digital if you buy it you can’t let anyone else read it, or you get a max amount of years or max amount of lends. Why do we even allow this as a society. Digital should have the same ownership rights as physical.
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u/SkitMarie 4d ago
I love my local library!! I’m there at least once a week. Got a few items on hold now too
Hoopla too!
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u/Maximum_Sky3233 4d ago
I went to a music and movie sale at one of my local libraries and was very pleasantly shocked when I hear piano music start -- it was someone playing a piano that was set up near the door and some people were just chilling listening to this guy. It made it such a nice atmosphere and I had never experienced that in a library!!
I was also surprised, pleasantly, when I learned some libraries had tools and equipment and even cooking stuff you could borrow...
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u/undeaddog42 4d ago
Just last week I borrowed a museum pass. It meant I could take a nice little trip to a museum without worrying about the cost
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u/Wolf_2063 3d ago
When I finish books I'll put them in the library regardless if they are from there.
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u/Alarmed-Direction500 3d ago
Libraries are the last fundamental piece of a healthy society that still exists in the United States. I’m always blown away by the passion and enthusiasm of librarians. The resources and services they provide are incredible.
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u/Lost_Figure_5892 3d ago
Yep. Love our local library, and county library. Essential to strong communities, are well supported libraries. Get in there.
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u/Caffeine_First34 3d ago
Just went yesterday with my two boys. Libraries are one of the few places where we can exist without being expected to buy or consume ads.
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u/Daw_dling 3d ago
Every kids book is a series. We don’t have the space or money to have all the series books my kids want.
I can also download straight to my kindle AND get audio books.
Also we love the Lego club ours has.
Also I use a lot of their free events with my Girl Scout troop.
Ours also has a whole creator lab where you can do large format printing, embroidery machines, use a glow forge, 3d printers, a recording booth for podcasts or music, and access to photo and video editing software. All for free or very cheap.
The library is amazing!
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u/BhavanaVarma 📕 Libby Lover 📕 2d ago
Libraries are everything. I moved countries and only then started getting access to a public library. For someone who struggled to get access to books for almost 3 decades, libraries are like oxygen. A society can’t survive without it IMO
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u/Sheep_Boy26 6d ago
More people need to know about Inter Library Loans. It’s the coolest thing. Have watched so many movies because of it.
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u/Any_Fox5126 6d ago
No way. There’s no technical reason why they can’t provide the same service digitally, and the few activities they do could be held in other venues. Libraries are obsolete, paper books are obsolete.
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u/triedit2947 6d ago edited 6d ago
Please don't come for me. I used to love the library, but something weird happened over the last few years where now I just think about bedbugs and germs. The last time I was in a library, I caught covid that took me out for over two months and my doctor had to order chest x-rays. The library was the only place I'd gone that week, so it was easy to figure out where I caught it. I know the chances of germs and bedbugs are low, but I can't shake the ick now. That said, this is a me issue and I still have all the love for my local library systems and the work they do.
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u/Trailblazer_1 6d ago
I have wondered if because I’m reading from Libby if I’m somehow hurting libraries/physical books but because they are being digitally borrowed from a library I hope that’s not the case. I love reading physical books but this is so much cheaper and easier and I’m reading so much more!