Re: OT: Public libraries

On 4/23/2025 11:17 AM, Christopher Howard wrote:

I would say the state-wide catalog system is the biggest feature for me.

Our catalog is unique to our library (set of branches).

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.

We have one of the large state universities in town (50K students).
But, if THEY have a title, the city library will NOT look elsewhere
for it.  Even a public library in another town!
AND, can not FETCH it from the university!
So, if something you want resides there, you are obligated to
drive there, get a (paid) library card to use their collection,
and return it back to them.
(Yes, parking is atrocious with that many students and staff)
I have no idea why this policy is in place -- likely politics
as it would seem like the library AND the university would want to
be "good neighbors".
But, being as it is, the few times I have been forced to make
the drive, I have opted to just do my research there (photographing
pages in texts, taking notes, etc.)

ILL is nice too, though the checkout times are much shorter usually,
like three weeks and no renewal.

There's a much broader reach with ILL.  I've had items retrieved from
libraries 1000+ miles away.  This is particularly useful when you are
looking for esoteric subjects that may reference "local industries"
that aren't prevalent across the country.
E.g., I was looking for a strategy guide for Pai Gow poker, a few decades
ago, when researching a "dealer's (bank) algorithm".  "Huh?"  But, ILL was
able to locate the cited text in South Dakota, IIRC.
Ideally, libraries will go "all digital", someday, and link their
collections so any patron can access any item.  (esp if the item
doesn't have to be physically transported to do so!)
It's annoyingly unfortunate when I look for an item and it is
delivered electronically and PRINTED before being given to me.
Really?  Can't I have the PDF/TIFF/FAX instead of having to scan this
low quality printout??  Especially in the case of TRUE PDFs...