Are public libraries obsolete?

[bsfins]

I ask this for a couple of reasons....I saw something on mental floss.com about how to help public libraries,and Tonight a country that I used to live in Voted no on a sales tax to build 3 Libraries in that county.I understand,libraries aren't just books,our libraries here have movies, music,and offer internet access.The county that this vote failed doesn't have high speed internet access all over.They mentioned in the story that about 5,000 people already pay to use the Library here,because it's bigger and better system.The county will continue to put it on the ballot,even though this is the 3rd time it's failed to pass....

I've not used the Library,other than to re-register to vote,because I have internet access.I know a few people still use it,but even they admit, hey don't use it near as much as they used to...I don't see them as bad,or evil...Just out of date....I would have voted no myself...A little like trying to repair an analog T.V.

Do you you use your local public Library? Do you think they're obsolete?

[Buddhagirl]

I do use my public library quite a bit since the idea of buying more books doesn't appeal to me. Further, I would love to be a librarian. I'm hesitant because of the large budget cuts that are happening to them.

I read somewhere that more and more people are using libraries due to the recession. Free movies, books, and internet. Can't beat that.

[TonyB0D]

B, what countRy did you live in?  :-P

[Dolphster]

If not for public libraries, where would the bums (er, domicile challenged) be able to take baths in sinks?   

[Phishfan]

I don't think they are obsolete. I personally haven't been in one in years though.

[Dave Gray]

Good question.  I don't think they're obsolete yet.  ...and they probably never will be, but they'll have to change form.

I think that we need a public place for people to gather information.  That information probably won't be paper books forever, but they'll have to have computers and media players and stuff.

[Buddhagirl]

Good question.  I don't think they're obsolete yet.  ...and they probably never will be, but they'll have to change form.

I think that we need a public place for people to gather information.  That information probably won't be paper books forever, but they'll have to have computers and media players and stuff.

I agree with this. Since I've been researching and learning about library science it looks like the next push is in technology. That's actually what grabbed my attention. New modern librarians are pretty much information specialists. They can find anything by any means. That's what I find cool about it.

[SportsChick]

there are many library systems that are even beginning to offer ebooks

[bsmooth]

Libraries are still great places to do research. The internet is not nearly as good as it is harder to confirm the credibility of some of the sources.

[Brian Fein]

They're building a enormous new library, like 5 stories, here.  Its huge and probably cost millions.  I hope its not already obsolete.

[Buddhagirl]

They're building a enormous new library, like 5 stories, here.  Its huge and probably cost millions.  I hope its not already obsolete.

Really? That sounds sweet. Where? Sunrise?

[fyo]

I probably had a stretch of 5-10 years where I didn't set foot in a library, but I actually use one quite a bit these days. I find that the atmosphere and general setup are really conductive to actually getting some good thinking done. I don't really use the BOOKS that much, although I do like to browse the natural sciences section(s) once in a while, as well as a few other non-fiction topics that I find interesting. Sure, I use the 'net to find most literature these days, but if you don't know what you're looking for (i.e. if you're not looking for anything in particular), nothing beats physical browsing.

[Brian Fein]

Really? That sounds sweet. Where? Sunrise?

yeah, Sunrise, Oakland Park west of Nob Hill.  Its not even close to open yet, though

[Buddhagirl]

I probably had a stretch of 5-10 years where I didn't set foot in a library, but I actually use one quite a bit these days. I find that the atmosphere and general setup are really conductive to actually getting some good thinking done. I don't really use the BOOKS that much, although I do like to browse the natural sciences section(s) once in a while, as well as a few other non-fiction topics that I find interesting. Sure, I use the 'net to find most literature these days, but if you don't know what you're looking for (i.e. if you're not looking for anything in particular), nothing beats physical browsing.

I like to go there to study...Coffee shops are great, but nothing beats a nice quiet corner in the library. Something about it makes me get stuff done.

yeah, Sunrise, Oakland Park west of Nob Hill.  Its not even close to open yet, though

That's right by my mom. I'm surprised she didn't mention it. Nice.

[bsfins]

I like to go there to study...Coffee shops are great, but nothing beats a nice quiet corner in the library. Something about it makes me get stuff done.

I have to ask, why do you have to go somewhere to get quiet? ...For me my home is my castle, my sanctuary,the one place I have a limited control of how quiet it is...Minus the white trash homeless drunks walking down the alley,the Inbred neighbors dogs....(yes I think the neighbor is inbred,not the dogs) Just curious...