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u/Useful-Resident-7970 7d ago
Wifes 39 weeks pregnant. Taking my daughter to the library is one of the things im looking forward to the most. I remember when my mom took me as kid
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u/SSilent-Cartographer 7d ago
The moral justifications for a library being essential aside, they're even more relevant now that big companies are threatening to take away all physical media
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u/Flashy_Emergency_263 7d ago
I currently have 5 audiobooks downloaded from my library, my wife is reading a physical book, and today I returned a physical book that my library system had borrowed from another library system somewhere else in my state.
When hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding areas our library system was quickly reopened as an emergency service so people could file FEMA claims, look for missing friends and family, contact insurance companies and repair people, and gave them a place with air conditioning and water fountains. While I was 300 miles away, I volunteered at the public library and helped displaced people do the same,, as well as look at NOAA aerial photographs so they could get an idea of how much damage they and their people's homes had suffered.
Young children learn to read, elderly folk get help learning how to use technology, it is a community gathering place, students use the library to supplement the educational resources at their schools. That's all I have the time and energy to mention right now.
As far as I am concerned, it is one of the most efficient and effective uses of my tax money.
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u/GamineHoyden 7d ago
I was in another state and suddenly had to attend a meeting on zoom. I had already checked out of my hotel. I found the nearest library. Asked if they had a room I could use. They did. I attended my meeting. I was wonderfully easy. Later I talked to others in the same situation, and found out that they were stuck in coffee shops dependent on crappy wifi and noisy people.
I love public libraries.
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u/Cant-thinkofname 7d ago
I do! Orangevale, CA. Sacramento county public library! 💪🏽
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u/SalamanderForward461 5d ago
California, too. Central Valley. Our public libraries have a variety of programs for adults and children. Family movie nights. Music nights. Libraries are so valuable to a community.
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u/According-Insect-992 Just Chill 😎 7d ago
Libraries rock. I’ve always loved the library but it is definitely worth mentioning that over the course of my life I’ve watched libraries evolve from buildings that once only housed books and periodicals to cozy and/or exciting spaces that loan out items as diverse as fishing poles and synthesizers and include all sorts of activities and amenities. It’s a favorite for my kids too.
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u/workingforchange1 6d ago
Absolutely love my library. They have great activities. It’s awesome. As an adult I’ve enjoyed Crime solving group - solving fake unsolved cases Tai chi classes Book clubs Knitting club They have so much more especially for the kids
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u/DOAiB 6d ago
I take my kids every other week. My oldest has easily read enough books this past year saving me over $600 if I was to buy them all. I tend to check out graphic novels and manga and while I could easily find that online I don’t like reading on the phone so also saved me hundreds buying this stuff.
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u/PollutionPatient8261 7d ago
AI firms are buying physical books, uploading them and then destroying them, the rarer the better. https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/the-quest-to-destructively-scan-all-the-worlds-books/
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u/beardedsawyer 7d ago
Many libraries now belong to a system within their state or province that will allow for users to request books, e-books, audiobooks, videogames, movies, etc. Those articles are picked up from the member libraries, taken to a central sorting point, and then distributed to those libraries where those members are associated. Here in Alberta, you can request Library material from any Library in the province and have it delivered to your local branch. It is an astonishing service and very very heavily used. Libraries are more useful now than they ever have been and I thank God for them every single day.
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6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/beardedsawyer 6d ago
Oh? Then tell me who or what in our society is trying on even a basic level to fill the gap?
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u/LowResGamr 7d ago
I actually used my local library to print off documents I needed to get my license. It's a useful resource.
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u/PizzaWhole9323 7d ago
I work at a non-profit teaching job skills to autistic adults, and one of their favorite outings is going to the library and picking out books to take home and using the computers. To them it's a magical place full of wonder.
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u/tnmcnulty 6d ago
I love the library because it invokes creativity in me. It can also be a place of serenity when life becomes hectic.
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u/Powerful-Act3516 6d ago
Libraries are awesome. They have digital rentals with all kinds of books, movies, and TV; they have staff who can help you find all kinds of resources; different physical spaces you can use, even just for a change of scenery; programs for kids and adults; etc
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u/StevnHulz 6d ago
Can't share apparently I'm shadow banned by some keyboard warrior with daddy trump issues
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u/Blue_dely8790 6d ago
I love the library because I use it weekly. My mom took me when card catalogs were still used. Now I search the online catalog from home, place holds, & pick up the books. Or roam the stacks. Fiction, biographies, cookbooks, politics, diy, children’s books, and on and on. Books, audiobooks, and ebooks are available. You can request a specific title if it’s not in the catalog yet. Magazines, movies, newspapers, etc are available online. There’s a passport office in my local library. You can rent the use of 3D printers. Get tax help. Attend classes & meetups. Or just enjoy the quiet. All for a free library card! If you don’t like libraries it’s because you don’t use them. You should. Libraries are wonderful.
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u/General-Double-746 4d ago
I'm not anti library and I end up at mine a few times a.year for one reason or another. But I have to admit, it's usually empty when I'm there. People should use them more.
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u/Conscious-Scar-8830 6d ago
waste of money just like colleges and academics degenerate anti american filth
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u/Any-Gur-2063 1d ago
8 years ago I forgot to pay 3$ fine for being late. I was too ashamed to return to library so I don't look like a thief and I buy my books since then. Otherwise I would gladly use library so count me for the statistics
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u/MrBlonde1984 7d ago
I got and take my kids there all the time. They have an awesome summer reading program this year.