Re: OT: Public libraries

On 4/21/2025 7:47 PM, bitrex wrote:

On 4/21/2025 8:23 PM, Don Y wrote:

We've been discussing the long-term relevance of public
libraries and the funding thereof.  It seems like this is
something that will likely be fading from municipal budgets,
largely from disuse and ease of other entities picking up
any such use that is shed in their absence.

 Six new town libraries are either under construction or recently opened in Massachusetts, at a total cost of maybe around $200 million, so maybe people in different parts of the US tend to value different things..it something municipalities around here do continue to spend money on.

Do they generate traffic?  Or, just interest in spending tax dollars>
We have 27 different branch libraries, here.  Serving a population
of about 500K -- so 15-20K patrons (on average) per branch.
The branches are sited in areas of wildly varying demographics,
wealth, etc.  *MY* branch is always empty.  No one sits to read the
daily newspapers flown in or browse the stacks (why not store the
books in less expensive space?).  Perhaps half of the workstations
are in use at any given time.
Branches in the less afluent areas often see more use (of the workstations).
(You'll also find hypodermic syringes in the parking lot and people
sleeping outside.)
But, the traditional role of a library seems to be preverted into
one of a social gathering place (for "activities") and internet
cafe.  None particularly require a "library" for those purposes
(e.g., the local park district also offers activities as well
as special facilities for them -- potter's wheels, kilns,
tennis/basketball/pickleball courts, exercise machines, meeting
rooms, etc.)
Internet access (via a phone or laptop) is available in the parking
lots of most businesses, here.

<snip>
 

Ebooks don't seem to have as broad an acceptance; likely because the
licensing model is stupid:  how can you have *one* copy of an ebook?
The author/publisher should, instead, charge PER USE.  200 patrons
waiting for one copy of an ebook -- at 4 week renewal times -- is
likely not going to result in more "sales".  Instead, 200 patrons
ALL having access to 200 copies of the book WHILE IT IS IN DEMAND
seems like a better business model (are you going to wait a YEAR
to read an ebook?)

 Ebooks are hugely popular

The lending model makes them even less appealing than print books.
I use an ereader to STORE *my* printed material but not to read
content "on loan" from the library.  I don't personally know anyone
who does -- and the librarians comment that it hasn't been well received.
(*Audio* books see some use from folks who want to "read" on their commute
or have failing eyesight)

So, my questions, for those of you who frequent your public
library, what trends do you see and where do you see the
resource "evolving"?  Bulldozed to make room for more parking
for the other nearby businesses??

 My librarian girlfriend read this post over my shoulder, rolled her eyes and after the fumes stopped coming out of her head noted dryly: "He declares public libraries obsolete, after literally admitting he uses his local branch for two or three different services." You're not alone..

I *have* used it for two different services.  I no longer rely on them
to acquire materials from other libraries.  And, have no use for their
"public computers".  I can make color and other-sized prints at the local
Kinkos/FedEx (the library won't let you dick with the paper supplies in
THEIR color printer whereas Kinkos will let me use cardstock, 11x17,
poster-sized, etc.).  I don't attend "storytimes".  And, have not
"borrowed" from their seed library.
So, the ONLY service that I presently use is their supply of
(not current) DVD titles.

Many town libraries in this area provide a lot of novel services: 3D printing/Glowforge , "Library of Things" free rentals of stuff like tools and musical instruments, study rooms for school...the big ones I've stopped into recently seem to have no shortage of patrons.

That differs from what we see, here.  The trendline has been steadily downward
(from personal observations as well as comments from the librarians that
work at the local branch)
Maintaining a 3D printer would require someone on staff who could do so.
They have to contract for maintenance of the public PCs -- even the
terminals that are used to check out materials are unsupported,
locally:  "The computers are down.  We have to record your library card
and the 15 digit identifiers of any materials you are checking out
ON PAPER (and then reenter them, manually, when the computers come
back online)"
Tell your girlfriend not to move west (or, MARRY her and ensure you can
support her!)