For many people, the growth of the internet has made libraries somewhat irrelevant and certainly less convenient. I love libraries. I grew up across the street from my town’s library and spent many a fine summer day sprawled out on the floor of the young adult section, reading the latest Sweet Valley High book. I also spent quality time at the library in college: pre-internet years in which you had to actually get research material from a book. And the stacks were a very popular place for hooking up…or so I hear.
However, since college I haven’t gone to a library much. Okay, I haven’t gone at all. Why go to a library when any book you want can be yours with the click of a mouse?
Well, as my Amazon.com credit card balance soared to amazing heights and the bookcases in my house filled to overflowing, I began to rethink the way I read. I got online and discovered that my local library has a website that allows you to search their card catalogue and tells you which books are currently on their shelves. I was amazed to discover that they have all the new fiction releases. For some reason I’d assumed a library wouldn’t have the most current titles—but they do!
So, instead of spending $25 for a hardcover version of The Undomestic Goddess, I took myself down to the library, got a free library card, and borrowed the book. Amazingly enough, I can also renew the book online if I don’t finish it on time. Why has it taken me so long to rediscover the joys of a public library? When all of these great titles are free just down the street, I think my days of buying books online may be over. If you love to read but haven’t been to a library in a while, you might be surprised how much they have to offer.
Rosebud
Photo courtesy of fdtate
I disagree that the internet has made the library less convenient; if anything, it’s the opposite! I go online, tell them what books I want. When they show up at the library of my choice, they send me an email, and I go down and pick them up. For FREE! (Well, free in that I’ve already paid for them through my taxes)
Plus I love to get books on tape. I love our local library!
I recently rediscovered the public library as well. In fact, my favorite library tool is the ability to keep a list and request books to be delivered to the branch of my choice. So much more fun with our book club books!