what’s a library for?
What’s a library for? I have to answer this question because of this article. What’s a library.
So at the beginning of the piece, the author is saying that the library across the street is closing, and well, he never went into it anyway. So he won’t miss it. But it means he knows nothing about it. Or why anyone might miss it. So I have some ideas about what he is missing.But he says some thing incorrect, so I will start there .
The author asks, why go to the library – the internet is free. I am guessing he doesn’t mean that the library charges . we don’t ( unless you are late or lose something). but The internet is not free. You have a monthly bill from you internet provider. Unless, of course, you are using your neighbor’s internet. Maybe he meant that once you are on the internet, the information is free.
Then let’s talk about the New York Times. It is free on the internet — as long as you are only interested in ten articles a month. At your library you can read all of today’s paper and ,at my library, you can read all the way back to 1851. No charge. And you like the crossword puzzle? Copy it at your library for 10 to 25 cents – or get the digital crossword subscription from the NYT. (yes, it is extra) . subscription info .
Which brings me to another point. You can get lots of quick answers on the internet,but maybe not the depth you need. Sometimes you just want to know where Benghazi is. Sometimes you want to know why we care about Benghazi ( the page I cam across didn’t really tell me)
Do you know who wrote what you are reading on the internet? Where it came from, when it was written? At the library – we can get you that information.
What about serendipity? I’m not talking about going down the rabbit hole of information on the internet and getting lost, but the wandering through the library shelves and spotting that book, that turns out to be what you really wanted. Or having that librarian says …”this isn’t exactly what you’ve been talking about , but there is a book that is related, that might be of interest…”
There are lots of other things going on in the library. Puppet shows, art classes, safety classes, book discussions,concerts, computer classes. And of course, we have books, DVDs, CDs, periodicals, ebooks, and audio-books.
There might be a lot of really good reasons to walk across the street and check out the library.
library books
Currently I have 27 books checked out on my library card, 5 that I have finished , 3 that are due a few days, 1 hold waiting to be picked, and 5 more holds on the list.
The great thing about working at a library, all the books. The not so great part, all those books I won’t get to . The worst part, all those books I bring home and never get to.
I have fantasies about sitting and reading for three days straight. The most it has ever really been in the last few years is three hours.
Thanks mom and dad !
So I’ve got a new job as a full time teen services person. Very cool. the last few weeks has been teen volunteer recruitment and training . 90% of the kids are great. 90% of the rest are really good, they just need to learn a few things. But the last few — well, let’s just say flaky. As in breaking the same rule repeatedly. ( same day) Trying to hide by running out of the building. leaving an hour early for a two hour shift.
It never would have occurred to me to behave like that. Thanks mom and dad!
more…..
I guess you can’t have too many good looking guys tell you to go to the library
Old Spice Guy
If you haven’t been watching them , the new old spice commercials are — well let’s just say it is pretty obvious why they have gone viral . Here are the old Spice Guy’s words about libraries
library cancan
In Australia, not here. I’ve been trying to imagine my library doing this :
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