For many of us, the library is not a place we remember anymore. If I ask my friends right now about it, they would not even know where one is located. Some would not be able to guarantee that one even exists! I conducted a survey at the front door of the grocery store where a library was located within walking distance and got the following results.
Last Time You Went to The Library
Within the last 12 months: 15.7%
Within the last 5 years but longer than 12 months: 7.8%
Longer than 5 years: 76.5%
Primary Reason For Going To Library
Study: 21.6%
Nothing else to do: 9.8%
Regular event in my schedule: 15.7%
Don’t currently go to the library: 52.9%
Note that everyone who declined to comment is not included because it would have skewed the results as most people did not want to take the survey.
As you can see from the above, most people have not been to the library for the last 5 years. Some of the people actually do not like libraries because it always reminds me of their study days and therefore would not set foot in there unless they are forced to.
Only 15.7% of all the people surveyed thought of the library as a place they wanted to go to. So that day after gathering the data, I also went to the library to check it out. I found that there is so much to do in a library nowadays. Other than all the books that we can borrow (as most people think a library is), you can also read some of the latest magazines! Unlike bookstores, the library even has past issues on the shelf where you can read on site or borrow them to take home. I spent a few hours that day reading some of the latest magazine and unfortunately I had to run since I was late for my next appointment but I will definitely come back since the library has many personal finance books for me to read and borrow. Apart from the huge collection of magazines and books, the library also has computer stations where people can surf the web. I went online to make sure moneyning.com was accessible and it was loading nice and quick.
The best thing of all is that the cost of all this is $0 other than the cost of transportation. Consider checking out the library next time you are thinking of something to do. It is an ultra inexpensive activity, and the increased comprehension skills by reading are priceless.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Omg, you are so behind on the library. There are tons of books on cd/tapes, dvds, podcasts, free children’s programs for reading, arts/crafts, music events, movie nights, and book sales for next to the penny. Also, many counties now have home delivery that is free right to your door. Just reserve the item online. (ymmv) My library even has a large foreign language dvd collection that rivals blockbuster video. You can even check out the some playstation and xbox games that you might have never played nor would never buy. All free!
Stephen: Thanks for sharing that! I’m way behind and what you mentioned just adds more value to the library as a fun and inexpensive event!!
Plus the library is open until 9pm so there is always time to go. I take my son their to play computer games. There are also lots of free childrens activities. When my son goes to those I can go into the books and get lost.
Its amazing how not many people realize the value of library in the modern world… The shear collection of books of any subject is just so great that somtimes it beats google at indepth researching.
The largest part of the problem is that most people don’t read period anymore. The biggest on why they don’t go is most likely that they don’t read. I do admit from when I completed school until recently I would rather buy my books than borrow them. Only recent when I have become more concerned with my finances have I started regularly using the library.
What I love about my new library (just moved) is that online capability. I hardly ever search for books in the library anymore. I go online, pick out what I want, put it on hold.
Then I step in and go to the “hold” shelf, look for my initials, do the self checkout of go home.
On the weekends, when I’m bored, I go down there and browse and see what’s available.
The one complaint I have is that there are too many kids. lol. But what you gonna do?
–
Baz L
Day In The Life of Baz
http://www.LifeOfBaz.com
LennyP: Yeah I agree with you that most people don’t read much anymore. Why did you like buying books instead of borrowing them? I assume its because it is more convenient and that you just never thought about it rather than something where you sat down and weighed the pros and cons?
Baz: I actually never knew about the online capability. Silly me
This makes things so convenient if I can “schedule” my borrowing!
Kids are good! They are our future and having them in libraries are a good thing (if they aren’t really reading, the fact that they are in there is a good start!)
Just so you know.. there are also many classes that are free to take. I learned how to use quicken, microsoft word, building a webpage with html, and other classes. What Lenny said is true to only a certain extent. Yes there are less people reading now a days. But just like any activity, to find people who enjoy what you do, you have to go the places that have people who share your same passion. So most readers go to bookstores now because of the coffee and visual stimulation instead of the library. The word library sounds old and ancient to the newer generations.
Stephen: Since these generation/trend/hip stuff always has a cycle, I wonder when libraries will become the IT thing to do again
Anyway, I wonder if every library has classes. Are the classes you are talking about city run? I wonder if they are available in every library since some are offered at community centers etc.
You’re absolutely right. Libraries are great resources these days. Just recently my wife and I went to a local library a few weeks ago to look at recent/older Consumer Reports. We were able to find 3 different magazines talking about kitchen appliances — just what we needed. I was rather impressed by the selection.
I love read books :p
KMull: it is great to hear all these encouraging stories of everyone going to the library! Also, good luck with your new home!
Harry: Unfortunately, the last harry potter book will probably not be available until a while from now as there is most likely a huge lineup to borrow it!
Our local library is very small, but we have a “4 county” library system where you can use your card at any library, then return items at any other library and they will send them back to the right place. Also you can browse the combined catalog of all 4 counties libraries online and request books/DVDs/Videos/Audiotapes etc-so even though my library is small, it’s like we have a huge one!
My mom is on Long Island, and now at her library with your card number you can download entire audio books onto your IPOD! Some libraries apparently have a way for your to “check out” videos by downloading the movies to your computer for one time use-but I don’t know anyone who has this personally
Oh man, I love the library
I’m all about using it for CDs, DVDs, magazines… and, of course, books 
But then, I was one of those kids who thought the worst punishment was having my library card taken away 
Our library is part of a system that covers several counties. We used the library extensively when I still homeschooled the kids. (They’re grown now.) We borrowed great books and movies from there. As a child, our local library was one of those old buildings with hardwood floors and mahogany everywhere. It smelled of old books and furniture oil and old-maid-librarian lavender, but I loved it so much I spent many afternoons there, reading.
Jenn: Wow the libraries where you are are pretty cool! I am sure one day you can walk into the library and all the media would be downloaded to your devices instantly
Are you in Long Island NY? I was just there this morning!
JadeEJF: Hehe me too. I used to love the library when I was REALLY young. We were only allowed to borrow 3 books at a time back then but it was fun.
Ann: Those old libraries are really part of American history. I have never been in one of them but I really want to go. Where is your location so I can go check it out if I’m in the area? (I’m in sales so I get to travel quite a bit, maybe I will be around your area to check them out some time).
Just go online to your local county library system. They will tell you all about the classes. Most of them are free. Or with a donation. Also, each library will list what classes they have. My girlfriend went to a bellydancing class. It was 8 classes deep! Each library has fliers or a cork board that shows you all the events.
Stephen:
Cool! I gotta check out what’s available in my area.
Thanks for the suggetion and advices!!!
MoneyNing-Actually, I’m upstate near Binghamton NY. My mom lives in LI, Greenlawn, and we go to visit her several times a year. She just got an MP3 player (I don’t have one) so I’m interested to try downloading a book for her to see how it works next time I’m there.
Jenn: Pretty cool
Hopefully it works well for you and you will have discovered another convenient way to use the library!
Don’t forget inter-library loans. My library is part of a huge network of other librarys. Combine that with the ability to request items online, and I haven’t bought a book, cd, or video in months.
Entrepreneur: Well noted
I go to the library once or twice in a period of 2 weeks.
I love my library. There is no way I could afford to read all those books at
$40.00 a shot.
I call it my free university education.
Marie
marie: hehe that’s a good university you got there!
I used to work at one (5 years!) and they’ve got such a wealth of resources. As people have mentioned, DVDs and the like, mine even had a number of TV Series on DVD. Between the different county libraries, which had different copies, you could watch most series of CSI, etc. And if a movie’s out, you can reserve it so that you’ll get it eventually.
I’ve found that some libraries do charge for loaning DVDs. But it’s less than a video store! (probably because it’s a poorer county and libraries have to pay a lot for their DVDs, since they’re loaning them. Same as rental stores. Around $100 for a new release!)
Anyway, if people are cutting back cable, books are another great form of entertainment. Lots of modern thrillers and mysteries for the CSI/Law and Order/Numb3rs fans, Romances for people who watch soaps, libraries have it all.
Mrs Micah: Thanks for sharing your personal experience
Do you know how the libraries determine what to offer?
I love the library. I have 2 little kids….love to bring them there. They love the books, videos and sometimes, events. I can also get videos and music. I can go online if I want something, reserve it, and sometimes download it right then and there. The library is a great resource and I wish more people would take advantage of it.
Many of them have downloadable books. You have to find their website adn see if they have it, but many do. Mine limits you to 6 books a week, but that is a lot (these are audio books). They expire after a week but once you put them on your mp3 player, they don’t expire at the end of 7 days, so if you aren’t done yet, it isn’t such a big deal.