Comments on: The library, your new best friend

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 11:02:37 +0000

@Andrea – I’m in Vermont and yesterday was unbearable. We put in our air conditioners and were so glad we did because by 4pm, our thermometers were showing 102 in the sun and 92 in the shade. Today’s supposed to be no better! I love how we go straight into summer. It was 50 on Monday and rained all week with temps barely climbing into the upper 60s and then suddenly the one sunny day we have 100 degree temps are thrown at us.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:38:46 +0000

I agree. I would love to go to the library but it’s 95 degrees here in NYC and frankly, the library’s air-conditioning is not up to par! Plus, I like to type while watching TV in my pajamas with a sandwich, and the library isn’t conducive to that!

By: Morgan

Morgan — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:24:36 +0000

@Lisa, great post. As a teacher’s daughter, former small town librarian, and a graduate student I am a big fan of libraries. I think it’s important to remind people that libraries and not a thing of the past, but continue to grow and evolve. Nice freelancing tips as well.

@Ann G., I’d encourage you to find others in your community who would welcome a more robust library and start a friends of the library group. You’d be amazed at what a few concerned citizens can accomplish.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:13:37 +0000

I have been rediscovering how wonderful the library is. Great idea about Community Information Center too!:)

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:08:44 +0000

@Jamie – My father had our home bookshelves organized by Dewey Decimal System.

Ok – back to cleaning. Have a nice day all.

By: jamie

jamie — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:41:21 +0000

My library is my home away from home. And that purchase request feature? Just like Amazon.com only slightly slower and MUCH less expensive.

Off-topic: Library spinsters of all ages should check out Josephine Carr’s “The Dewey Decimal System of Love.”

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:13:40 +0000

Thanks for reading my post, guys! I thought it was all done but then after reading your comments, you reminded me of tons of other library services I left out. Libraries are just fabulous!

Ann G, you might want to check on that great library 40 miles away. See if for an extra fee, they’ll mail you books/research materials or if by having their card you can use their online databases, MP3s, etc. Some of our bigger libraries in our area will just drop books in the mail to us. It’s nice.

And btw, Mandy, I totally hear you. I’m only 31! I started working in a little, itty bitty library in my little, itty bitty home town when I was 15. Librarians get a bum rap but we’re working on that.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:11:37 +0000

@Ann – I’m so sad when town’s don’t receive the necessary funding for libraries. They’re so important. We pay very high property taxes in my neighborhood and fortunately much of that goes to the school and library.

I remember the small town in South Jersey where I lived during my teen years – my father was the library director and brought in many books and programs. The person who took over the job from him decided the library didn’t do enough to bring in young people so he got ride of most of the books an brought in pool and foosball tables. A serious WTF? moment. Fortunately after he left they were able to rebuild, but really.

One of the best things about living in NYC was the libraries. My library in Elmhurst Queens was amazing and as a little girl and a grown woman I spent a lot of time there. The main library in Manhattan is somewhere I can spend a lot of time too.

Libraries rock. As you can see, it’s a subject near and dear to my heart.

By: Ann G.

Ann G. — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:08:19 +0000

I think it all depends on where you are. My local library is pathetic. Lack of funding from the state means that they do not keep current with the selections they have. They also have only two computers that hook up only to the Internet, so they don’t offer anything I can’t get at home.

There is a library 40 miles away that is excellent, but it’s downtown and parking is nightmarish and costly, so I don’t bother going there.

In the end, it makes me wish that I was nearer large cities with much better resources.

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 10:33:53 +0000

At my blog Simply Thrifty I’m always talking about the joys of the library. I’m there once a week for books and movies, plus I bring my son to pick books – and he is in the art, book and science clubs there. Also, in the evenings there are discussion groups for all ages, family movie showings every weekend, exercise classes and my library even gives blogging lessons!!

My father was a librarian but even if he didn’t encourage us to use the library often, I would. To me, heaven is being given an hour alone in the library to browse without someone tugging and asking me if it’s time to go.