Do you use the library?

[Ginny Favers]

I read so voraciously that I couldn't possibly buy all the books I go through, so the library is a big help to me. They don't have a lot of eBooks, and since I usually hear about books when they are sold and mark them down to read, I reserve new books before release date so they are ready for me right when they become available.

This is all fiction. For research? I do that all online.

Weirdly, I laugh at those people that HAVE to be the first to watch a movie, own a piece of technology, etc. But I am totally that way with books.

I also like my library for a quiet place to do my work. I haven't been able to do the coffeeshop thing because I'd probably be jonesing for a latte or brownie the whole time.

 

[SAHDad]

I also like my library for a quiet place to do my work. I haven't been able to do the coffeeshop thing because I'd probably be jonesing for a latte or brownie the whole time.

Didn't think about that earlier. Come November, I spend a lot of time in the library, because when I try to do NaNoWriMo from home, I have too many distractions.

 

[DawnM]

When my kids were younger we went far more often and checked out kids' books.

Now we use the library for:

Our group tutoring twice a month.

My son met his Algebra tutor in there once a week.

 

[deedeetoo]

I haven't been in the library in years. I love to read but just use my kindle. Its small enough that it fits in my purse and I can carry it with me all the time. Books seem big and bulky to me now.

 

[NotUrsula]

Why are there so many librarians like this??? It always cracks me up.

The question really should be "why are so many SCHOOL librarians like this?". The answer to that is that all too often, school districts do not mandate that Librarian positions be filled by professional librarians, and as a consequence, in many schools, the position is taken by a tenured teacher who is burned-out on classroom work. In all but the tiniest public libraries, you don't work with kids unless you were specifically hired to do so, so people who don't want to work with kids steer clear of (or are steered clear of) youth services.

As a general rule, travel and hobbyist searchers are fine on the open web; the information is almost all still freely available. However, had the OP drawn health information as her topic, the answers would probably be very different -- because of the paywalls. In certain topics, the average patron searching from home would pay dearly for information that is often provided at no charge to the end-user when searched via an institutional portal (which doesn't necessarily mean in a particular building, though it often does, re: the so-called "physically present" clause included in many publisher access contracts.)

Ever hear the expression, "if you can't find it with Google, then it doesn't exit"? It is absolutely terrifying to me how many educated people actually believe that canard. There are not one but two fallacies in that statement: 1) maybe YOU can't find it, but a professional searcher may well be able to, and 2) the volume of information indexed by Google and freely accessible is indeed immense, but still does not constitute even a quarter of the information available only to those who are willing or able to pay for it, or to go where it is. The bulk of the content available on the Web is post-1997; if you are looking further back than that, in most cases Internet resources alone are not going to give you a comprehensive result set.

 

[Pigeon]

The question really should be "why are so many SCHOOL librarians like this?". The answer to that is that all too often, school districts do not mandate that Librarian positions be filled by professional librarians, and as a consequence, in many schools, the position is taken by a tenured teacher who is burned-out on classroom work. In all but the tiniest public libraries, you don't work with kids unless you were specifically hired to do so, so people who don't want to work with kids steer clear of (or are steered clear of) youth services.

.

Actually, many of the really dreadful school librarians I've encountered are MLS holding, certified school media specialists, not burnt out teachers. In my state you have to be appropriately credentialed.

I suspect many of them went into it for the hours, not because they wanted to work with kids in an educational setting.

Admittedly, they school libraries tend to be woefully underfunded and understaffed, but still...

 

[scoutie]

I use the public library constantly. We are there about once a week and always leave with a huge tote bag full of books.

We mostly use it for fiction, cookbooks and DIY books. We also borrow music CDs and DVDs. I also download ebooks, but I prefer print to ebook. The ebooks are convenient if I can't get to the library and have run out of reading

That....exactly.

Anything technological I do at home.

 

[runsandjumps]

Sorry double post

 

[tina.tina]

Our library has a fantastic kids' program. In fact, my DD13 went to the teen program last night.

The kids and I get books and DVDs from the library. I use Overdrive for my Kindle through the library. I am happy with either ebooks or print. I'm pretty much a speed reader and love to read. I certainly couldn't afford to keep up my habit if I had to pay for all of my books!!!

 

[runsandjumps]

I don't do any research at the library but I use it a ton for ebooks. As far as physical books it's mostly for my kids. We often check out the large encyclopedia style books about animals or nature.

I like going to the library and feel it is under utilized but ours seems to have a full parking lot everyday. I see quite a few people who don't have internet access at home. I don't buy paper style books anymore but mostly because I hate clutter. My kids still get to buy new and used books, but I just use my e reader for all my habits.

 

[crazelion]

It's been years since I have step in library. Because they is never open when I want to go. I go to used bookstores now and use my kindle a lot now.

 

[tcufrog]

Actually, many of the really dreadful school librarians I've encountered are MLS holding, certified school media specialists, not burnt out teachers. In my state you have to be appropriately credentialed.

I suspect many of them went into it for the hours, not because they wanted to work with kids in an educational setting.

Admittedly, they school libraries tend to be woefully underfunded and understaffed, but still...

Can't they be both MLS holding and burnt out teachers? There were a lot of burnt out teachers in my MLS program.

I am currently a SAHM because the hours I worked as a college librarian weren't family friendly at all and prior to that I worked as a corporate librarian and then public librarian.

I do use our public librarian system quite a bit. It has some great programs and is so popular and well funded that the city is getting ready to build a new central library. They are also in the process of remodeling all of the branches. For the most party I love the system although I think the borrowing policies are flawed. I'm also annoyed that they don't make review journal available to the public. The public library system I used to work for did so after all of the librarians had read them. I miss reading them.

 

[Colleen27]

I go to our public library every week. I like physical books and e-books. I'm also an adult who has gone back to school - I CANNOT learn from an e-text. I must have the book in front of me. There is something about "learning" via online text that just doesn't gel with me.

I had to visit the library on campus once and was surprised to find that there was only a broom-closet-sized section that had actual books.

I'm the same way. I love e-books for fiction, and enjoy online learning when it is via forums, video or powerpoint lectures, etc. but for dense material like textbooks or scholarly non-fiction I need a hard copy in my hands to really absorb the material.

Actually, many of the really dreadful school librarians I've encountered are MLS holding, certified school media specialists, not burnt out teachers. In my state you have to be appropriately credentialed.

I suspect many of them went into it for the hours, not because they wanted to work with kids in an educational setting.

Admittedly, they school libraries tend to be woefully underfunded and understaffed, but still...

I've known a few that fit your description and they seem to fall into two camps:
1). Burnt out teachers who went back to school for an MLS to get out of the classroom without giving up the hours, benefits, retirement, etc. of working for the public school system.
2). People who earned their MLS with the goal of a career in a public or university library who took a school job when they couldn't find the sorts of jobs they really wanted.
Either way, they aren't people who want to be working with kids.

 

[powellrj]

I use to be a huge user of the public library, but not anymore. I don't feel safe there. It seems their focus has changed and its not something I feel comfortable about. Gone are the days where it was quiet and you could actually read and study. Now its like a bus station. Its become a haven for the homeless and bored teens who want to use the internet. We had a child molested in a restroom not long ago. Sorry, I will just buy what I want on Kindle or amazon.

 

[Divslp]

One of the first things I do when I move to a new town is sign up for a library card. I love the library and everything about it. Even the smell of books relaxes me.
I love to read, and prefer to read books in print over electronic. The way my library works, if my favorite author has a book coming out and it's not in the system, I make a book order request which is usually granted and I am first in the hold queue! I love my library. Our library also has great kids programs and always new selections of children's books.

I have gotten the Disney guidebooks from the library in the past. But for more specific info, I turn to message boards/groups. For peer-reviewed research, I usually get full text via research databases.

 

[wallace02mgd]

I use the library but not for anything Disney. Our library has DVD movies, audio CD's and of course lots of books. A great resource to the community.

 

[MIGrandma]

I haven't gone to our local library in probably a year or so. Not since I started getting books for my kindle from the library and can do that right on-line.

The library is too noisy. The last few times I did go in there were just too many people using the computers (right in the center of the large room, by the check out desk) and they were talking with each other, their kids were running around, etc. I always thought libraries were supposed to be quiet. It would be pretty hard to concentrate on reading there anymore.

I used to check out books from the library quite often, until I got a kindle.

 

[bookgirl]

I always thought libraries were supposed to be quiet. It would be pretty hard to concentrate on reading there anymore.

Our tables and study carols are packed every day. Tons of students from the college/homeschoolers/online students/business people/newspaper readers/and computer users.

Our library has a quiet room and a separate children's area, but the fact is that when libraries became more tolerant more people felt welcome. I still have tons of people tell me then never came to the library because they were afraid of the librarians shushing them or it was so creepy and quiet. They love how inviting we are now. If they want more quiet they go to the reading room or put in their earbuds.

I won't say we NEVER have to ask someone to tone it down, or stop kids running, or ask folks to take the cell phone to the lobby, or ask the mother who's kid has been crying/yelling non stop for 10 minutes to step out to the lobby, but we are pretty tolerant until it becomes a hindrance to others.

I say services to more people and welcoming décor and policies trumps sterile, quiet, and stuffy anytime. That's what the college library is for.

 

[NotUrsula]

...
I say services to more people and welcoming décor and policies trumps sterile, quiet, and stuffy anytime. That's what the college library is for.

No, the college library is for SLEEPING -- didn't you get the memo?

If we only got $5 for every time we have to wake up a snoring grad student, the cost of that MLIS wouldn't be nearly so onerous. Well, that or taking reservation fees for the best couches, LOL.

I'm in the midst of buying some furniture now, and there are post-docs on the building committee. They are obsessed with lounge seating comfort.

 

[cindyland]

I run the school library at our small rural high school. No, I am not a Librarian because the school won't pay for a Librarian. But I also have a number of tasks that are more "clerical" in nature so they pay a school clerk rate ($20/hour). I research, purchase and do inventory control on all of the school textbooks. Our school is also implementing a 1:1 iPad program, so I am also in charge of all of those inventory and insurance issues (big chunk of my time). I also have students for "study skills" for about 2/3s of the day, and run the media center for those students as well.

By the way, I do have a degree in Public Relations with a minor in comparative literature. I had a much higher paying job in a city, but quit to move to a small community with my family. For the past ten years I have worked part time in education doing jobs that don't require a teaching credential, but are still vital to student success. I believe my job is about helping kids, many times just working with critical thinking skills outside of traditional research models.

And I try to keep the noise level down to a dull roar, and don't chase kids out. I love my students, and believe everyone can learn something new by visiting the library.