More eBooks, less personnel, less space and maintenance requirements. Libraries are not being financially supported well enough. Governments cut funding, locals balk at taxes going to libraries, etc.
It’s the new trend. Sometimes libraries aim to become more of a community center than a place for silent reading. Come in, download a few ebooks, participate in a workshop, play a board game, maybe have a coffee. They’re transforming actively here too.
But it seems a lot of the patronage is elderly and not that capable of using ebooks. My own father has had issues using the ebook transfer thing. See? Even I don’t know how to use it!
That is true. Only, the biggest demographic of library users worldwide are actually high school students and tertiary education students. They want to catch these generations, so that they continue to visit after they are done studying. If the library doesn’t have someone standing by to help people with the tech issues, that’s a big fail. But currently there is actually a reading boom and so many titles get published that without a really good budget they just can’t buy them all in hardcopy. There might be two scenarios: either your library is failing, as was mentioned above, or they are switching to the new modr of operation. In which case any of the staff should be able to help you and your father handle the e-book issue. Did you talk to them?
So far my dad has had to talk to someone or go in three times to get his ebook working with the library set up. I know that teens are using the library more, but my area is still a majority elderly and might not understand the new formats. But my library has been taking more books off the shelf and not even replacing them as ebooks. And really, paperback isn’t a bad format. I don’t really like the hardcover because they are so heavy in my purse.
@Amber many elderly people use ebooks as they are easier on our eyes and we can adjust the print. Also, we don’t need to physically go to the library to get it.
So far, I’m really lucky w/ my library system.. they still buy 180 copies of the popular releases! The wait time is not so bad… even if I forget to get on the list early!
It’s probably a reflection of their usage statistics. In my library our print adult circulations are decreasing (with an increase in digital), but our juvenile print circulations are increasing. Voicing an opinion to the library director or library board can be a big help (at least in a small library). Keeping print circulations high will maintain a collection in any size library, but it will take a majority of users to do that.
So sad. The library where I live now is open 8 hours a week. My favorite childhood memory is going to the Winter Haven, Florida library and checking out the maximum number of books they would allow and then asking my mom to take me back for new ones two days later.
This is actually really cool. I wish my library would switch to this. Me and my daughter try to check out books but most are dirty, old out of date information, or just broken. She picks out books and then I have to go through them to see if they are even in readable condition. The library here doesn’t have funds to get new books.
@Olga yes I think it’s smart! I mean if the library can no longer afford new books don’t keep the unusable books out. Switch to ebooks and only keep a few new ones.
I have the Nook too but I love to carry a real book & but them. I could read anything I wanted at work too before retiring & I did. You do what you want & I’ll do what I want.
I’ve recently gotten into my local library’s ebook downloads option and I can honestly say that I am really enjoying the convenience but I fear that this will lead to the demise of some of our library branches. It’s just a matter of time before people start to embrace the digital format.
I would think it is demand. The convenience of the ebook has made it so many people are reading with a device. If more patrons request ebooks, that is what the library will purchase.
My library has both but print is still the winner according to Library Journal article from February: print accounts for 54% of library budgets (this is nation wide) and ebooks steady at 9%. The biggest increase was in audio books. I am so sorry your library isn’t following the national average.
Because it’s cheaper. I expect your library will soon close.
The cost for the books is the same regardless of the format. And my local branch just got a larger space so they aren’t lacking in that.
I mean it’s cheaper for them – Ebooks take up no space.
@Alun there aren’t any administrative costs with ebooks. No checking out and in and no one has to shelve or repair.
More eBooks, less personnel, less space and maintenance requirements. Libraries are not being financially supported well enough. Governments cut funding, locals balk at taxes going to libraries, etc.
It’s the new trend. Sometimes libraries aim to become more of a community center than a place for silent reading. Come in, download a few ebooks, participate in a workshop, play a board game, maybe have a coffee. They’re transforming actively here too.
But it seems a lot of the patronage is elderly and not that capable of using ebooks. My own father has had issues using the ebook transfer thing. See? Even I don’t know how to use it!
That is true. Only, the biggest demographic of library users worldwide are actually high school students and tertiary education students. They want to catch these generations, so that they continue to visit after they are done studying. If the library doesn’t have someone standing by to help people with the tech issues, that’s a big fail. But currently there is actually a reading boom and so many titles get published that without a really good budget they just can’t buy them all in hardcopy. There might be two scenarios: either your library is failing, as was mentioned above, or they are switching to the new modr of operation. In which case any of the staff should be able to help you and your father handle the e-book issue. Did you talk to them?
So far my dad has had to talk to someone or go in three times to get his ebook working with the library set up.
I know that teens are using the library more, but my area is still a majority elderly and might not understand the new formats. But my library has been taking more books off the shelf and not even replacing them as ebooks. And really, paperback isn’t a bad format. I don’t really like the hardcover because they are so heavy in my purse.
@Amber many elderly people use ebooks as they are easier on our eyes and we can adjust the print. Also, we don’t need to physically go to the library to get it.
Goodness knows!
No one ever lost or destroyed an ebook
Mt branch seems to heading this way as well. Greatly expanded children’s area. Fewer adult books because if ebooks I guess.
That’s so sad.
ugh
So far, I’m really lucky w/ my library system.. they still buy 180 copies of the popular releases! The wait time is not so bad… even if I forget to get on the list early!
Ask them and let them know your feelings.
It’s probably a reflection of their usage statistics. In my library our print adult circulations are decreasing (with an increase in digital), but our juvenile print circulations are increasing. Voicing an opinion to the library director or library board can be a big help (at least in a small library). Keeping print circulations high will maintain a collection in any size library, but it will take a majority of users to do that.
So sad. The library where I live now is open 8 hours a week.
My favorite childhood memory is going to the Winter Haven, Florida library and checking out the maximum number of books they would allow and then asking my mom to take me back for new ones two days later.
Easier when you move? Lol
I wouldn’t even call that a library! Ugh!
Thankfully ours has a good mix. Have just started listening to books whike working but my preferred choice is physical books.
This is actually really cool. I wish my library would switch to this. Me and my daughter try to check out books but most are dirty, old out of date information, or just broken. She picks out books and then I have to go through them to see if they are even in readable condition. The library here doesn’t have funds to get new books.
The like is for liking the trend. The state of books and insufficient funding is rather sad.
@Olga yes I think it’s smart! I mean if the library can no longer afford new books don’t keep the unusable books out. Switch to ebooks and only keep a few new ones.
Ugh I’m always afraid of that.
That’s awful. Thankfully my library will never do that.
Perhaps you have space constraints and have only an e-reader as a mini library.
Hence you have switched over to e-books.
Am I right?
Cheaper I suppose
Because your entire library can travel with you in your purse or pocket wherever you go.
That makes me sad.
Why? It makes me so happy every morning when I pull out my book to sit beside me on my desk. Lunch comes and I can read anything I want! ☺️
I have the Nook too but I love to carry a real book & but them. I could read anything I wanted at work too before retiring & I did. You do what you want & I’ll do what I want.
I mean yes, of course, we’ll each do what makes us happy. I just don’t understand why you’d be sad for anyone else’s choice.
I’d be sad to walk into my library & see that. Now go find a book to read.
I’ve recently gotten into my local library’s ebook downloads option and I can honestly say that I am really enjoying the convenience but I fear that this will lead to the demise of some of our library branches. It’s just a matter of time before people start to embrace the digital format.
I would think it is demand. The convenience of the ebook has made it so many people are reading with a device. If more patrons request ebooks, that is what the library will purchase.
My library has both but print is still the winner according to Library Journal article from February: print accounts for 54% of library budgets (this is nation wide) and ebooks steady at 9%. The biggest increase was in audio books. I am so sorry your library isn’t following the national average.
It may have a loan agreenent w another library for you to access?
Odd, but true, for me as well…an odd note for a retired librarian. I still read books, but it’s more once in a while.
I love to read, and do every chance I get! On a tablet, I can carry a library with me.
You may just not be accessing the correct online catalog.
I love ereaders! But that’s because I love reading at night when everything has calmed down.