The sale of e-books have fallen into a dangerous trap, where you can buy e-books for as little as $0.99, which means you’d have to choose if the paperback is worth the normal $15, compared to that.
I wish that never happened, as now people may expect books for free, even full length novels. I think that’s one of the biggest downsides with bookstores now.
With libraries, I’m not sure, I barely ever go to them
In my opinion, a big part of the issue has to do with people’s mindsets. If they don’t value the local library, they’ll either push (with votes or money or other forms of influence) to direct the library’s funding elsewhere, or they simply won’t utilize the library’s services. Because so many libraries have to prove their value through the numbers, their funding (if it comes from a public or government entity) is likely to decrease if they can’t show that enough people are utilizing it. So in communities where there is a threat that the library may close, or in places where it’s already happened, I would say changing people’s minds about how valuable a library is/can be will be key.
I’d be lost without our library. Not only do I love going but my Toddler does too. They have an amazing kids area where she can play, listen to story time, and find new books to take home. It’s perfect for rainy and cold, winter days. We’re there once a week if not more.
The children’s museum in our area put in a beautiful area in one of our libraries. It makes that library crazy loud, but the children love it. That library also has a teen center and a recording studio!
Decreased hours happened at the library I retired from when local government decided to decrease funding. Even though many in the community used the library, not only for books, but for the computers, those who could afford to buy e-books just couldn’t see that libraries were necessary. I would hate to see libraries disappear, and I think it all boils down to everyone who wants to see them survive needs to support their local libraries, both by their presence and actually checking out materials and by letting their local governments know that they want them to remain open and funded.
It is sad that many people do not use libraries or even bookstores any more. I work on a Military Base with a huge, beautiful library. They have reading programs and contest type programs for children who participate…It is disheartening how little use this gets! I worked part time at an independent bookstore for many years. The store had to close because the rent kept going up and people bought less books inspite of discounts and a great return policy. I saw a child with a phone at the library… playing a game! Thanks to those who still read and read to their children!
Use the tax on things like cigs, alcohol, etc. to pay for libraries. Stop spending so much on making those in prison so comfortable and spend the money on libraries where children in need, especially, may have more of a chance in life through the free services libraries offer.
Our libraries often do fundraisers which have been very successful. One very popular one is their clearance event. You take as many books as you want and pay whatever donation you want. It’s a great deal for both us and the library. They get rid of overstocked items while we get amazing deals on books. And since there are no set “limits” on either end, people often wind up being very generous with their donations. For our family, it has truly fostered a love of books in my reluctant reader, because she sees a much wider variety, and I put no limits on which or how many [age-appropriate] books she gets.
They also have a book store which is open almost as often as the library itself is open.
Most “staff” is made up of volunteers, which saves money.
They also have partnered with the local community college to share a building (saving on overhead costs).
They’ve limited their hours to prime days/times, and each branch has different hours, which saves on overhead costs.
I am on the border of two library systems. Both are great and one has a connection of 65 libraries and the other 31. My main library is in the 65 one and the library itself is not very good but it attaches me to many more. The other system started getting popular when they started do more children and teen programs. They have become community centers. Preschool programs, children’s like arts and crafts with book time, teens with teen groups and that group has board members. They have arts and crafts, Lego days. Things geared to kids. That brings them in for books and their parents in to take them.mi go to two libraries for knitting clubs and one for book clubs all free for adults. They had to figure things to bring people in who have not been in libraries for years and didn’t know all they offered now. Cd’s, dvd’s etc. Libraries are not the same as when many of us were kids. I also think that people want books on demand now. Want a new book now, so they buy and it sits at home waiting to be read. Most books I have at the most had to wait a few weeks but in the meantime I read others. I don’t buy any kind of book, only get library books and I don’t know what I would so without one.
We’re in the process of moving house at the moment, and legitimately one of the things I’m most concerned about is that we’ll change city and I’ll lose my local library system ?
Make libraries into community centers, every library should be a polling place on election day, have every community event use it where it makes sense to Have community agencies and social justice group have materials there so they are partnering with the library If possible have libraries partner with publishing companies to try to have authors make appearances
I like the library for the children’s section. My little sister (2) and little brother (4) love going to the library’s Discovery Time and checking out books. They have quite a few picture books at home that we own, but my parents can’t afford to pay $20 for something that takes 5 minutes to read right now. They already have enough at home and the library gives them a trickle of new and exciting books to rotate through, which is awesome. Plus, movies to retate through and return as well. It’s great. I don’t really use the library much for myself because I prefer to buy and take notes in my books and reread. For me, it’s worth it to buy rather than borrow. I wouldn’t want the library to close though. Don’t think mine will though. It’s pretty new and very big. Lots of people go just to use the computers. Lots of moms go with their young kids too. Plus, the library fines at this library are crazy expensive. It’s a dollar a day for movies (which can only be checked out for a week) and 25 cents a day for books (which can be out for two weeks without renewing), so they make money that way.
I like to alternate between library books and my kindle. Happily our new mayor has made libraries a priority and hours have increased. Library users need to organize and petition local officials to provide more funding.
In my opinion, as a library director I have found that our funding can’t keep up with technology demands. We have computers, ebooks and had emagazine’s (barely anyone checked out) but they’re behind. Ppl want relevant, current technology and books but unfortunately our funding limits those things….therefore ppl aren’t interested.
So much depends on the local funding situation – this is a big group, and every library is different! My library is in Ohio, where we are partially funded with state money, and we have a fabulous, supportive community and a healthy budget. I feel fortunate to be there and to provide the resources we do – and even so, I still try to push to provide the community with more. In our case, it’s not so much about keeping the library open, but about getting more people to know about it and use the resources. Different worlds for other people. I wish you could all come and check out our place.
The sale of e-books have fallen into a dangerous trap, where you can buy e-books for as little as $0.99, which means you’d have to choose if the paperback is worth the normal $15, compared to that.
I wish that never happened, as now people may expect books for free, even full length novels. I think that’s one of the biggest downsides with bookstores now.
With libraries, I’m not sure, I barely ever go to them
Our county has specific hours and resources that are paid for by legislation when the new baseball stadium was built.
In my opinion, a big part of the issue has to do with people’s mindsets. If they don’t value the local library, they’ll either push (with votes or money or other forms of influence) to direct the library’s funding elsewhere, or they simply won’t utilize the library’s services. Because so many libraries have to prove their value through the numbers, their funding (if it comes from a public or government entity) is likely to decrease if they can’t show that enough people are utilizing it. So in communities where there is a threat that the library may close, or in places where it’s already happened, I would say changing people’s minds about how valuable a library is/can be will be key.
I’d be lost without our library. Not only do I love going but my Toddler does too. They have an amazing kids area where she can play, listen to story time, and find new books to take home. It’s perfect for rainy and cold, winter days. We’re there once a week if not more.
The children’s museum in our area put in a beautiful area in one of our libraries. It makes that library crazy loud, but the children love it. That library also has a teen center and a recording studio!
Decreased hours happened at the library I retired from when local government decided to decrease funding. Even though many in the community used the library, not only for books, but for the computers, those who could afford to buy e-books just couldn’t see that libraries were necessary. I would hate to see libraries disappear, and I think it all boils down to everyone who wants to see them survive needs to support their local libraries, both by their presence and actually checking out materials and by letting their local governments know that they want them to remain open and funded.
It is sad that many people do not use libraries or even bookstores any more. I work on a Military Base with a huge, beautiful library. They have reading programs and contest type programs for children who participate…It is disheartening how little use this gets! I worked part time at an independent bookstore for many years. The store had to close because the rent kept going up and people bought less books inspite of discounts and a great return policy. I saw a child with a phone at the library… playing a game! Thanks to those who still read and read to their children!
Use the tax on things like cigs, alcohol, etc. to pay for libraries. Stop spending so much on making those in prison so comfortable and spend the money on libraries where children in need, especially, may have more of a chance in life through the free services libraries offer.
More public funding funneled towards their costs.
Go back to physical books and put funding into the libraries instead of ebooks
Our libraries often do fundraisers which have been very successful. One very popular one is their clearance event. You take as many books as you want and pay whatever donation you want. It’s a great deal for both us and the library. They get rid of overstocked items while we get amazing deals on books. And since there are no set “limits” on either end, people often wind up being very generous with their donations. For our family, it has truly fostered a love of books in my reluctant reader, because she sees a much wider variety, and I put no limits on which or how many [age-appropriate] books she gets.
They also have a book store which is open almost as often as the library itself is open.
Most “staff” is made up of volunteers, which saves money.
They also have partnered with the local community college to share a building (saving on overhead costs).
They’ve limited their hours to prime days/times, and each branch has different hours, which saves on overhead costs.
Have Washington sell an F19 or B52 bomber or what ever number they go by these days that my old head can’t remember.
I am on the border of two library systems. Both are great and one has a connection of 65 libraries and the other 31. My main library is in the 65 one and the library itself is not very good but it attaches me to many more. The other system started getting popular when they started do more children and teen programs. They have become community centers. Preschool programs, children’s like arts and crafts with book time, teens with teen groups and that group has board members. They have arts and crafts, Lego days. Things geared to kids. That brings them in for books and their parents in to take them.mi go to two libraries for knitting clubs and one for book clubs all free for adults. They had to figure things to bring people in who have not been in libraries for years and didn’t know all they offered now. Cd’s, dvd’s etc. Libraries are not the same as when many of us were kids. I also think that people want books on demand now. Want a new book now, so they buy and it sits at home waiting to be read. Most books I have at the most had to wait a few weeks but in the meantime I read others. I don’t buy any kind of book, only get library books and I don’t know what I would so without one.
We’re in the process of moving house at the moment, and legitimately one of the things I’m most concerned about is that we’ll change city and I’ll lose my local library system ?
Make libraries into community centers, every library should be a polling place on election day, have every community event use it where it makes sense to
Have community agencies and social justice group have materials there so they are partnering with the library
If possible have libraries partner with publishing companies to try to have authors make appearances
Very good @Brent
More book selections ? sometimes I feel like they don’t have a lot of options even at the other branches so I have to resort to getting the audiobook
I like the library for the children’s section. My little sister (2) and little brother (4) love going to the library’s Discovery Time and checking out books. They have quite a few picture books at home that we own, but my parents can’t afford to pay $20 for something that takes 5 minutes to read right now. They already have enough at home and the library gives them a trickle of new and exciting books to rotate through, which is awesome. Plus, movies to retate through and return as well. It’s great. I don’t really use the library much for myself because I prefer to buy and take notes in my books and reread. For me, it’s worth it to buy rather than borrow. I wouldn’t want the library to close though. Don’t think mine will though. It’s pretty new and very big. Lots of people go just to use the computers. Lots of moms go with their young kids too. Plus, the library fines at this library are crazy expensive. It’s a dollar a day for movies (which can only be checked out for a week) and 25 cents a day for books (which can be out for two weeks without renewing), so they make money that way.
Oh more marketing on book tours. I never hear about them unless I am actually at the library.
I like to alternate between library books and my kindle. Happily our new mayor has made libraries a priority and hours have increased. Library users need to organize and petition local officials to provide more funding.
In my opinion, as a library director I have found that our funding can’t keep up with technology demands. We have computers, ebooks and had emagazine’s (barely anyone checked out) but they’re behind. Ppl want relevant, current technology and books but unfortunately our funding limits those things….therefore ppl aren’t interested.
Thanks good suggestions. Rose. X
So much depends on the local funding situation – this is a big group, and every library is different! My library is in Ohio, where we are partially funded with state money, and we have a fabulous, supportive community and a healthy budget. I feel fortunate to be there and to provide the resources we do – and even so, I still try to push to provide the community with more. In our case, it’s not so much about keeping the library open, but about getting more people to know about it and use the resources. Different worlds for other people. I wish you could all come and check out our place.