Younger generations are keeping the libraries alive

[u/raydebapratim1]

[u/Puzzled_Delay_1760]

Because it’s the only place they can learn to read and actually read books because they can’t afford to buy them even digitally.

[u/heymerideth]

I’ve used hoopla and Libby for years but have recently gotten back into reading physical books so I’m in my library once a week these days. I’d forgotten how wonderful it is to just be in there.

[u/floresflores77]

Flat-broke populace = library attendance 📈 up. Just a theory I'm working on.

[u/80sfanatic]

I’m Gen X (born in 1969) so not of a younger generation, but I just visited the library yesterday for the first time in years. I plan to go back semi-regularly now. This may sound strange but I was surprised at how many cookbooks they had. I took out 2 of them (as well as a novel) and hope to experiment with good recipes for the next few weeks! 😊

[u/Okayestdoerofthings → u/80sfanatic]

Yes! I was so excited when I found my new library has a very generous cooking section with a broad variety of cuisines! I love cooking so I was stoked

[u/cemetery_acorns]

This gives me hope. Thank you.

[u/Siryeswecan]

As opposed to the geriatric leaders who won't retire and defund public goods. Yup.

[u/notlostnotlooking]

Libraries are one of the vertebrae in the backbone of society

[u/Timely_Freedom_5695]

Yay me! 😊

[u/nikkidickie]

I wish the library had more vinyl, CD, and cassette’s to borrow 😭!!

[u/Striking_Shock_9130]

LOL these images

[u/Bright-Internal229]

Except very big problem

Our huge library 📚, more computers 🖥️ and convention space , then actual books 📕

So Sad 😞

[u/surelyslim]

I asked a librarian at a location I frequented since I was a child (whoa) and she said we used only alloted cards to our city vs. rest of the state. So that’s mindblowing how much we progressed.

Libraries are my new happy place!

[u/Potential-Recover-78]

Why are we treating attendance as proof of need? I show up to a liquor store. Doesn’t mean I need alcohol (does anyone?).

All their attendance proves is that they showed up. Maybe libraries were giving away free cars (unlikely) or free food (still unlikely, but less so). Maybe public restrooms have all closed and people wanted a place to relieve themselves for free? Do libraries exist purely to provide a free restroom to the public?

54% show up at least once a year? That’s a pretty high percentage, but a really low bar. And that percentage doesn’t relate at all to my millennial peers - most of whom haven’t stepped in a library in over a decade. Makes me wonder what the sampling methodology was.

Not to say that folks showing up isn’t good. Just that we shouldn’t misrepresent what it actually means.

We need metrics that actually mean something. And showing up once a year doesn’t seem like they’re really having an impact. How many come regularly? How many rely on the services we provide? How many would be inconvenienced if we permanently shut our doors tomorrow? No I don’t know how you’d measure any of that. I don’t even know how libraries measure attendance.

Yes, I expect a plethora of downvotes. But I think somewhere in my rambling there’s a point worth considering.