Do you use a library?

Hermy

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

Never knew that about the online reservation system. Brilliant idea.

Not sure if the BorrowBooks link has been posted yet:
http://www.borrowbooks.ie/index.php

two wheels good

Yes, the library is a great service. I'm often pleasantly surprised to find some seemingly obscure book to be on the catalogue.
I regularly seek books and music I've seen mentioned or recommended. I pick up the odd DVD and language course too.
I'm even happy to pay the fines - it's such good value. (Oh jeez, don't increase the subs now!)

BTW Please resist any temptation in your library to pander to the populists by allowing drinks or food or mobile phones in the library. And ask the natters and the afternoon students to "keep it down, please!"
One more thing. Could readers somehow be encouraged to follow some basic hygiene when reading the papers - i.e not licking fingers to turn pages. Probably a vain hope.

Toby Take a Bow

two wheels good wrote: »

BTW Please resist any temptation in your library to pander to the populists by allowing drinks or food or mobile phones in the library. And ask the natters and the afternoon students to "keep it down, please!"

If mobile phones aren't allowed in the library, and most people have mobile phones, would they have to hand them in to the librarian? Disaster waiting to happen.

two wheels good wrote: »

One more thing. Could readers somehow be encouraged to follow some basic hygiene when reading the papers - i.e not licking fingers to turn pages. Probably a vain hope.

Probably best not to think what the people who have borrowed the DVDs and books have done to them at home then.

two wheels good

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

If mobile phones aren't allowed in the library, and most people have mobile phones, would they have to hand them in to the librarian? Disaster waiting to happen.

Edit: Do not permit use of mobile phones in the library. Apologies

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

Probably best not to think what the people who have borrowed the DVDs and books have done to them at home then.

I try not to. Out of sight, out of mind.

Hermy

two wheels good wrote: »

Edit: Do not permit use of mobile phones in the library. Apologies

Or at least turn the phone on silent and if an urgent call comes in go outside to take the call.

r3nu4l

Interestingly, my local library (in England) has plenty of Irish authors, including some that I didn't expect...Paul Howard's, Ross O'Carroll-Kelly series! I would have thought that the humour qould be too local to Ireland (even Dublin perhaps) and wouldn't translate to an international audience but obviously I'm wrong.

Three weeks ago the the library featured Irish writers in a display, including the aforementioned Howard but also John Connolly, Cecilia Ahern, Casey Hill (pseudonym of Melissa Hill and husband), Joseph O'Connor, John Banville, Ken Bruen, Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Maeve Binchy.

Something for everyone there but I wasn't expecting it.

Monkeybonkers

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

and one of the librarians there needs a course in dealing with members of the public

Same in my local library, I wonder if it's the same person?
All the other staff are really nice and very helpful as is the case in every library I've been in.

iguana

I used libraries all the time when I lived in London. It was very easy there as due to the population density there was always 2 or 3 libraries within walking distance and membership to your local library automatically makes you a member of all libraries in the borough.

My nearest library here is that bit too far to walk regularly. (It's about an hour round trip which wouldn't be too bad if I wasn't already spending 2 hours a day walking my dogs.) Also, it's on one side of the city boundary and I'm on the other, so I'm not sure I'd be eligible for membership.

Eta: I've actually just checked and apparently I can join a city library with a county address. That's good to know.

x_Ellie_x

I used to use my local library all the time, but it closed 2 years ago and never re-opened. The library was meant to just close temporary to fix a leak in the roof but the people doing the repairs found asbestos in the roof and refused to finish it. It's going to cost money to get the asbestos removed but due to the present state of the country Dublin City Council won't fork out the money for the removal so the library has remained closed ever since.

Toby Take a Bow

Monkeybonkers wrote: »

Same in my local library, I wonder if it's the same person?
All the other staff are really nice and very helpful as is the case in every library I've been in.

I'd say there's a small minority of them spread around town. But like you say, most are very nice and helpful.

orchidsrpretty

I used to use the library all the time in my teens but as I have gotton older I have become more and more forgetful/lazy and was always getting charged late fees. The last time I borrowed some books to take on holidays to Eygpt. It was so hot the glue melted and the pages fell out. I felt a bit disgruntled paying for a book that was ruined and it was way overpriced. Surely as a library they would get discounts on the price of books?

Toby Take a Bow

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

Surely as a library they would get discounts on the price of books?

I would say the money you've to pay to replace a book is more to prevent you doing it in the future (even if, in this case, it was the sun's fault).

iguana

orchidsrpretty wrote: »

Surely as a library they would get discounts on the price of books?

It's the other way around I believe. Library copies are significantly more expensive than regular books because they will be read by hundreds of people. It's a copyright issue.

xOxSinéadxOx

I want to join the library but I don't think I can because I don't have any proof of address. do you definitely need it to join?
I have my address on a payslip but on the website it says utility bill or drivers' license only and I don't have either.

hooplah

Around my way your payslip would do. Can't speak for everywhere do.

xOxSinéadxOx

I joined today, no hassle.

CYHSN

Love going to the library! Only joined back up there a few weeks ago after a short break of about 18 years:p The shelves looked WAY bigger back then! I think they were the same shelves as well

MissFlitworth

I don't use a library anymore because, even though I have one practically on my doorstep & it opens great hours, I find it near impossible to bring books back within 3 weeks because of working/studying/having a social life. If they had a drop box outside I could put my books back into when I'm passing at night I'd definitely go back. (but understand this is impossible due to many people seeing drop boxes as bins/places to play hilarious pranks with fire)

I also like to be able to pick up the books I want to read straight away & don't have the patience to wait for something to be ordered in or returned

I mainly get my books from the book depository, borrowed from friends or from Chapters in Dublin.

I definitely read based on recommendations but only recommendations from people I think have similar taste to me in books I've had some terrible luck just browsing shelves & picking up random books to read so I tend to do my research beforehand

hooplah

MissFlitworth wrote: »

I don't use a library anymore because, even though I have one practically on my doorstep & it opens great hours, I find it near impossible to bring books back within 3 weeks because of working/studying/having a social life.

Hi Miss Flitworth. You can renew your books by phone or online if that would sell the service. Thanks for the response either way!

old gregg

I use my library in Waterford all the time. I'll buy a book if I'm travelling or something specialist otherwise the library caters to all my reading needs. Within walking distance, friendly staff, good selection, relaxing environment for browsing = everything I need.

A wine licence would be an improvement but I can deal with the inconvenience

MissFlitworth

hooplah wrote: »

Hi Miss Flitworth. You can renew your books by phone or online if that would sell the service. Thanks for the response either way!

Thanks a mill A big part of why I don't get my books back in time is I am crazy absent minded, so again I remember they're due back they're late & it's too late to renew! I think I'm just a rubbish library user

Hermy

Ballyroan Library text a reminder when books are almost due back which I think is very considerate.

kickarykee

I love libraries - if only for the feeling of being there and the options you have, when it comes to gaining knowledge
Whenever there is something new I discover to find interesting I go to my local library and borrow a bunch of books about it, hehe.

paddyandy

I learned to sleep while appearing to be reading a book in Rathmines Library ....the chairs were more comfortable then.

[-0-]

I use a library Mon-Fri when I'm in Tennessee and my girlfriend is in class. The library is on campus at ETSU.

I think libraries need to try to reach out to kids more. Kids these days are playing xbox, playstation, etc. They are getting lazy and unmotivated. Reading is amazing and I'm upset I didn't do more of it as a child. Kids need places they can come to and read, and enjoy themselves. Maybe even have food there too to keep them there. Prizes for finishing books, that sort of thing.

peter barrins

This post has been deleted.

hooplah

peter barrins wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Thanks for replying Peter. Can I ask you what you read if you can't make it to the library?
Do you browse before you buy, do you buy based on reviews or reccomendations at all?

Jimmy Iovine

I used the library in college the whole time. I think I took out over 100 books there during my 3 years which was 100 books more than most people did. I found it invaluable for finding books on theorists that I simply didn't have the money to buy in a shop. For one module I borrowed a book for the entire semester, saving myself €50 in the process.

The only thing is that I'm desperate at remembering to bring back books. I stacked up a crazy bill in that library over my time there. I would regularly have €20 fines hanging over my head. I had to resort to some desperate measures to get books out during those periods and avoid paying the fine.

I joined back up my own library there last summer. I've taken out a few books recently. I have "Cruinnscríobh na Gaeilge" and a one-volume collection of Abraham Lincoln's speeches and writings out at the moment.

My taste in books has changed a lot since I was younger. Back then I would take out soccer and golf magazines and some of the action books.

I think the library is a great resource. I should go more often but I've got so many books at home that I've to read first that I don't want to go down there really.

In general, I prefer to buy books. It's the same with music. If I can I'll buy an album rather than download. That way I'll have it for life and I can always come back to it any time that I want. I also prefer to see a physical collection of things. I've around 60 books, 100 albums and 50 DVDs. When I get a job I'll probably fill a whole room with them all.

As for your question on browsing before you buy, I generally mix it up. Sometimes I research a book for ages. I search boards and respected newspaper sites for any reports on the book. I don't really know why I do this, but it's probably due to the fact that I'm usually careful with my money and I like to know what I'm buying.

Other times, I read the back cover, maybe a few pages inside, and then splash out. I bought a book today about the best political speeches of the 20th century. No idea what it's like but it should be interesting. I also ordered in 2 more books and will be buying a further one on the internet later on tonight. None of them are in my library so I've decided to buy them in.

Ladyla

yes, the library is a great element in our society. It is the foundations that hold us all together. I use both my school and public library and even order books in!!!

Hermy

I spent the day in Tallaght library and I couldn't get over the noise. Do libraries still have a 'quiet please' policy or are those days long gone?