Do you use the library?

[MomeWraith]

As someone who works in a library, we often hear that no one uses books anymore and everything is on the web. I'll admit that I mostly used the internet when I planned my niece and nephew's first trip to DCA but I still check out lots of books from the library. I also recently bought two books on Mary Blair.

As a Grad student in library science we are also looking at issues of library versus internet. I am wondering if anyone here would be willing to share their thoughts and experiences. Either way, thanks for reading!

How do you find information about Disney topics?
Library, websites, books, all of these?

Have you created your own source of information?
Books, Blog, websites or?

If you use technology to advance the Disney community and/or to share information, in what ways do you do so?

Anything anyone can share would be gratefully received!

Please know that privacy is respected and no names are used without consent.

Deb

 

[TipsyTraveler]

The last time I set foot in a library was the high school library in 1998. I use the internet for everything. I only know two people who still check out library books -- my MIL and my best friend's mother... because they're both librarians. For me, the internet has made libraries obsolete, though I'm sure they still serve a purpose for people without internet at home, or avid readers who prefer to borrow books instead of buy.

1) Internet
2) No
3) The Disboards in my only real Disney involvement online with the exception of two Tokyo Disney pages I've liked on Facebook.

 

[design_mom]

I am not fully sure I understand your questions, but I'll take my best stab at it.

For trip planning, etc. I turn to the internet first. The internet often has the most up to date information as long as you're looking at a reputable source. (Like company websites, etc.) I might get a book like "Guide to Disney with Teens" or "First Time Visitor's Guide to Ireland" if it was something specific... but in general I can find what I need online.

For non-fiction reference stuff, I probably go to the internet first, but I also use the library, especially if I need "proof" of something. (I'm still leery about citing internet sources.) If nothing else, I use the internet to find out which books are recommended for a specific subject, then I go get the books.

For pleasure reading, I use our library often. I do not enjoy reading on my iPad or computer.

 

[HM]

How do you find information about Disney topics?
Library, websites, books, all of these?

The first couple times we traveled we used the library to take out guide books to research. Now we use the internet.

Have you created your own source of information?
Books, Blog, websites or?

No

If you use technology to advance the Disney community and/or to share information, in what ways do you do so?
I read and respond online in several Disney forums.

Anything anyone can share would be gratefully received!

Why are you limiting your questions to things Disney related? I use my library a lot for checking out books and dvds, and an occasional seminar. When I think Disney, the library is not what comes to mind with so much information available online now.

If you are working on a project, I'd suggest something other than Disney as the subject. Something that it's harder to find info about online or something about which people might use the library for.

Oh, and one new thing our library has...a seed catalog. You can take seeds to grow things in your yard/garden and then bring seeds back after harvesting. So cool! This is a great use of the old card files.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Only for genealogy research.

 

[FergieTCat]

I live in New York City and faithfully used the library until I realized I was wasting my time. I now use a Kindle.

There used to be a library down the block from my job, but it closed (building demolished). The now closest one is about 12 blocks away, and I don't always have the time to get there after work if or when there are late hours. Additionally, the libraries are understaffed and the books are not reshelved on a timely basis. It is almost impossible to find a specific bestseller or any recent release. You would need to place a hold, and then hope you can find the time to go get the book.

So ... I have a Kindle. I borrow Ebooks online, or just buy them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dd who is in HS uses the library "intranet" frequently for research materials. Most of the time she does not even need to check out books for her sources.

I will check out books from time to time depending on what jag I am on. I will look it up and then request it to be sent to my library, which is very small.

I also enjoy going to the library and reading magazines sometimes. Esp. gardening and recipe mags.

 

[bookgirl]

My library does 1.25 million circulations a year, not my system, my BRANCH alone of the system.

That does not include digital format (books, audio, music, databases) or public computer users.

We're not hurting for business, in fact I wish some of them would go someplace else.


How do you find information about Disney topics?
Library, websites, books, all of these?

ALL

Have you created your own source of information?
Books, Blog, websites or?
NOPE I am a user not a creator

If you use technology to advance the Disney community and/or to share information, in what ways do you do so?
I always try to give people multiple sources from both print and digital when I answer questions

I read both print and digital probably about 50/50. I buy outright probably only 15% of materials. I use the library for most of my information gathering.

 

[Disneychix]

I love my library!

I do borrow all types of media.

The kids love Disney cd's (radio Disney, park music, Imagination Movers, Playhouse Disney) not sure if this helps panning but we do enjoy them in the car.

I do my planning with the internet sites but I have borrowed the Birnbaum guides and other planners so I can take them home and look through them with the kids.

I love my library! It helps that we have an awesome café inside!

 

[JanaDee]

I do not use the library. If I want a book (paper), I buy it.

I use the internet exclusively for Disney planning.

 

[anniemae]

I use internet for researching Disney or any other destination.

We use our library for movies. Since we have little ones, we don't get out to the movies often and I refuse to buy the DVD's, so I request them at the library. Yes you have to wait for it to come out, then wait for your turn, but it's worth it for us. We also use the library for story hours for the kids.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

DD was so excited to get a Kindle a couple years ago as she is a total bookworm. Loaded one book, decided she hated the Kindle, hasn't used it since. She visits our public library weekly. Occasionally, I'll have her check something out for me.

Anyone want to buy a barely used Kindle?

 

[NHdisneylover]

I use the library heavily--but nearly always for "pleasure"

I research tings online, but I use the library for getting books to read (both fiction and non fiction), DVDs to watch, going to book groups and board game nights, etc.

 

[Dancind]

There's a branch really close by, and I go there weekly. I read book reviews on sites like EW.com and place a hold on books that sound interesting. If the book sounds really, really good, is lots of pages, and there are too many holds, I will buy the Kindle version. Also buy a new Kindle book for trips.

Don't use the library for much else. Used to go catch up on some magazines, but I'm kind of enjoying Next Issue on my iPad. The chairs in the reading area at my library always smell like body odor, so this is much more pleasant.

Not a penny pincher really, it's more that I've got soooo many books lying around my house.

 

[disneychrista]

For disney related information I find online sources to be the best most up to date. I do not buy books I borrow them from the library. I also get movies and tv series from the library

 

[willowsnn3]

I love our local library!!!
The county headquarters library is 2 miles from my house, half way between work and home. The perfect spot. I put a lot of books on hold so I can either pick them up on the way to or from work or even at lunch time. Sometimes when they are open on Sunday afternoon, I will go & browse. There is just something about the way it feels once you go inside. All those books! Something for everyone.
If I bought every book I read I would have to have my own library, lol, so I just use the library.
For Disney & travel tho I will use the internet to research as I can find the most up to date information there. I have checked out at various times, all the Disney guide books from the library, but with so many changes at WDW in the past few years I prefer to use the internet.

 

[MomeWraith]

Thanks for all the great replies!

To answer the one post, I asked about Disney information because part of the assignment was to chose a specific community (I choose the Disney community) and look at their information gathering habits. The goal is that we learn how to help library users find the information they need by better understanding the type of information they need and how they prefer to receive it.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it

 

[puffkin]

Once my oldest outgrew picture books and started going to school (where he can check out his own books from the school library) we stopped going. I do borrow tons and tons of ebooks from the library to read on my Kindle, but I haven't set foot in an actual library in 4 years (when DS started school). DS2 is soon to the point where he will need picture/story books so we will probably start going again soon until he is school aged. I have never done trip planning at a library. I found the DISboards and Allears over 12 years ago planning my first trip and haven't needed to use anything else since.

 

[Bearvet]

I work in an elementary school library and encourage use of the public library too. Not only for books, but ebooks, DVDs, museum passes, etc.

A teacher just posted this to my FB page - I love it!
http://www.wkrn.com/story/26717291/nashville-public-library-promotes-library-cards-with-pop-song

 

[Southernmiss]

We had a big, nice, new library open not far from my house last year.

Dd12 absolutely loves books and the library. She had a kindle, but still prefers the feel of a book. But we don't get there as often as we'd like.

The hours are pretty good. Just have to make time to go.

As for me, I've checked maybe 5 books out for myself over the last year. Just don't have a time within the 2 week time frame to finish a book before the due date.

Our local library does not have genealogy research tools either internet or books. If i had the time, I'd go to the library 20 miles away that does.

Our library is always busy with folks using the internet and checking out books.

Did check out one Disney planning guide once, but i do trip planning on the 'net.