Thursday, April 2, 2009

Booking Through Thursday - Library Week

If you would like to join in, click here.

Today's question: I saw that National Library week is coming up in April, and that led to some questions. 


  • How often do you use your public library and how do you use it? 
  • Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library? 
  • Did you go to the library as a child? 
  • Do you have any particular memories of the library? 
  • Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?

My Response:
  • I used to go to the library a couple of times every month. Now I'm kept busy with all of the books that publishers send me for review. If ever I run out of reading material, I'd return.
  • I do not think that coffeehouse/bookstores will ever replace the library. Even though a customer may pick up a book and read a bit of it, the book cost money if you want to finish it. In today's economy, people appreciate that a library offers books to read for free.
  • I got my first library card at age five and went there each week. I wrote about that here and here
  • I worked as a library clerk for six years in a high school. I wrote about that here.
  • I prefer an active library to a dark, quiet one. I've never stayed to read anything inside a library; I just get what I want and take it home to enjoy. However, while in college, I did use a quiet room to research material that could not be checked out.
I'm interested in reading your answers.

Take note of my book giveaway in my sidebar.

20 comments:

CJ said...

I love reading and was an active member of the central library of our town till last year.Now I have shifted to a new city.I dont know where to find one!!Haven,t read much since moving.



chaitra

April said...

Yes, I went to the library all the time when I was a young girl and I took my girls every week for storytime...they loved it! However, I haven't been to one in years. If I'm going to read a book, I, usually, just purchase it from Amazon. I do think that bookstores/coffeehouses are becoming more popular these days than libraries, so there's always a possibility that they might replace them. I worked in the school library when I was a student for about two years and it was a very positive experience.

Darlene said...

I LOVED going to the library when I was young and picking out my books to read. I still enjoy going to the library but I don't go much now. There is just something about all those shelves of books....I love!!!!

Debbie J said...

The library is just about my favorite place to be.

I received the book, "Work In Progress" yesterday. Thanks so much! I know I will enjoy it and have posted about it today.

Thanks!

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

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http://mollyscountrycolorshomeplace.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-award.html

gautami tripathy said...

I forgot to mention that I used to manage a little library for all the kids in our block when I was a kid myself.

Now I will go back and edit my post.

Booking through libraries

Knitty said...

How often do you use your public library and how do you use it? Often over a year, but I don't have a set schedule. Right now I am waiting for books that I have reserved to come in and am reading purchased books.


Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library?
No, and I hope it never does. There are reasons for both to exist.

Did you go to the library as a child?
Yes and my sons got library cards as soon as they were old enough. Preschool story hour at the library was a favorite event for all of us when they were little.

Do you have any particular memories of the library?
I like the orderliness of books in categories arranged in alphabetical order. I worked in my high school library in my senior year and it was my first paying job the summer after I graduated.

Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?
Modern, but they always need quiet areas for those who need quiet to concentrate if they are working there.

Unknown said...

I take it in spurts...use the library alot for awhile then slack off.

Recently I stopped by and really enjoyed reading all the magazines I don't ever see!

bj said...

Altho I love reading, for some reason, I wasn't introduced to the library until I found my first one in school. I used it regularly. When my daughter was very young, I took her and she used it all the time she was growing up.She still loves to read...when she can find time ...she has 4 kids !! ;O)
Good post, Sally.
xo bj

Anonymous said...

Hi Sally! Oh, it's so good to be back and there you are, my sweet friend! Oh, happy birthday to your Darling Daughter! Yep, they are special, aren't they! Hope all is well in your smiling world!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Diane of Crafty Passions said...

I love the library,altho I must confess I haven't used it much in years and I have a dear friend who works there too....
I use to love our old very quiet dark library but our town has since built a brand new sparkling and busy library, with all the latest gadgets.We are fortunate !
PS I use to volunteer at my child's school to help out in their library and I enjoyed it very much.
Diane

Anonymous said...

When I was a young girl I would often be reading as many as 5 books at a time. I loved my school library, and in the summer, the book mobile was such a treat... and book fairs? Oh, how exciting to get the little flyer of goodies to order. Now, I don't go to the library much. Hubby and I visit my Barnes and Noble almost weekly, even if only to sit and read with a cup of coffee. There are also several used book stores in town that have wonderful books for very low prices. I rarely read novels anymore,but find myself bringing home books on gardening, crafting and home decorating.

Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault

♥ Kathy said...

I love the library but I prefer a quiet spot :)

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

I haven't been to the library in years. But I do read alot. Not books as much. I read alot of articles. I have some interests that I keep up with . I am almost obsessive about them.

Cathy said...

One of my fondest memories is of my mother taking me downtown to the library. It was in a little old building. that looked like an old church. I have always loved libraries. I also used to push bookmobiles around in hospitals when in high school.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I used the library more when I was in graduate school than any other time. I guess I used it when I got my under-grad degree---but don't remember using it nearly as much then.

These days, I only use the library for research --such as genealogy. Of course, with as much stuff on the internet these days, I'll bet there is ALOT less library usage.

I do know that our church (when I was in Texas) had the best children's library I've ever seen. It's important to get kids reading---so this library was well-used (thank goodness).

Hugs,
Betsy

The Raggedy Girl said...

I rarely go to the library. I tend to buy books, read them and send them on to someone else. There was a library on my walk home from school and I went often. I like old darker quiet cozy ones.

If I could read more often and faster I could use the library.

Salmagundi said...

I'm partial to the old Carnegie libraries - all of the old creaky wooden chairs and tables, and the wonderful iron & wood book stacks. My childhood library was like that, but then they built a new one. Where we live now is an old Carnegie with the new addition added to the back, but all of the wonderful old furniture, etc. is still there. I hate all of the computer stations and the noise in the new part. Just old fashioned, I guess. Sally

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Growing up, I went often to the library, and I was a library assistant throughout junior high. My SIL and her hubby are both librarians, but I just don't seem to use it as much. I used the library a lot of genealogy purposes, particularly the Archives and History in another state. It's a great resource!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Musings of A Minister said...

*I don't go at all now. I am "mad". Our library was fantastic. They cut it down in size and put it in a "closet." I don't go.

*I will never sit around and drink coffee and read the store's books. My pet peeve is to see people reading books they never intend to buy.

*I went as early as 5 or 6 and have been going ever since. That is, until I quit recently.

*Lot of wonderful memories!

*Prefer well lighted, modern but quiet and cozy. Why do we have to have dark and dull in order to get quiet?