Re: OT: Public libraries

On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 10:17:29 -0800, Christopher Howard
<christopher@librehacker.com> wrote:

legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca> writes:
>

One of the benefits of library computers is access to the
catalog. Most technical stuff or 2nd language content is in the
stacks at a central branch or even in different cities.
This reduces 'shelf browsing' considerably, if you know what
you're looking for, even for fiction or 'other' entertainment.
Hence the 'reserved' service use.
>

>
I would say the state-wide catalog system is the biggest feature for me.
Most of the stuff I want is at the university library, and it is
difficult and expensive to get good parking there. Also, many of the
biggest and most well-funded libraries in our state are in South-Central
Alaska, which is 300 miles from where I live. So it is pretty handy to
be able to get any of those books shipped to my library for free, and
then take advantage of the same renewal policy — one month checkout with
up to two renewals. I checkout a lot of engineering, science, and math
books this way.
>
ILL is nice too, though the checkout times are much shorter usually,
like three weeks and no renewal.

Our library here in San Francisco checks out books and vids for two
weeks. But they automatically renew them up to six times! I get
reminder emails every renewal.

Where do you live? I had a girlfriend in Juneau once. It was one of
those relationships where only the airlines came out ahead.