Apr 15 2007
11+ Reasons Why Libraries Are Freakin’ Fantastic
Ms. Q is a big fan of libraries and this week is THEIR week.
National Library Week will be observed April 15-21, 2007 with the theme, “Come together @ your library.”
History
In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee’s goals were ambitious. They ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.”
What’s not to like?
- They’re free*!
- They reduce clutter.
- They can save you money.
- They have books.
- They can save you time.
- They are good for the environment!
I go to the library several times a month and load up on books. I’m not:
- Spending money on books, magazines and newspapers or on things to store them in.
- Cluttering up my home with books, magazines and newspapers I’ve only read once.
- Spending time recycling all these newspapers and magazines.
11+ Reasons Why Libraries Are Freakin’ Fantastic
- You don’t have to buy a book that you’ll only read once. No need to buy more bookshelves.
- You can “test-drive” a book and then decide if you want to buy it.
- You read magazines, newspapers, surf the Internet.
- Some offer wireless Internet access.
- You can check out CDs, DVDs, tapes, and graphic novels.
- Many libraries offer online services such as renewals, holds and requests for purchases.
- Some libraries have Bookmobiles and will come to a neighborhood near you!
- Libraries with a Children’s Section will offer readings and storytelling.
- Larger Main libraries offer classes. Find a library near you!
- Politeness and nice behavior run rampant at libraries. I can’t recall the last time I observed rudeness or poor behavior at a library.
- Libraries are off-line and real-time. Libraries are a great place to disconnect from tech to re-connect to life! You can get outside of your box (your home, your office, your computer) and join the world without feeling like the world is boxing you in.
Extra Reasons:
- Libraries usually have clean bathrooms. Big time plus! They may be old but they are generally clean.
- A very special friend of mine is a librarian.
*OK, it’s generally free for residents, small fee for non-residences.
The library is becoming a lost sanctuary in the age of the internet. You list a lot of great things that get overlooked and that the internet still can’t match.
Ricardo: “a lost sanctuary” – I love that! Yes it does feel like a sanctuary. Once of my favorite libraries is a small local one built in the Works Progress Administration era – it has high ceilings, stonework and latticed windows. It’s been recently modernized but it still has “great bones.”
And they help you build your own library at home. 12th reason.
Good post mate,
Cheers and take care.
You forgot to mention that most libraries have free wireless now! I love going to just get away and enjoying the silence! . . . . i used to go to bookstores, but now they’ve converted them to hybrid coffee shop/bookstores that attract a bunch of caffeinated rugrats playing tag or hide and go seek while screaming at the top of their lungs!!!!!
Gary: OK – I didn’t mention it was FREE since I wasn’t sure – I just knew that some offered wireless access.
Yes, libraries can be quite soothing, very mellow. You used a lot of exclamations !!!! Too much coffee??!!!!!
There is one additional reason why libraries are freakin’ fantastic that you may have missed, maybe because there is a “Ms.†instead of “Mr.†in front of “Q.†When one enters the library, there is a very remote possibility of spying a young female librarian with large glasses and whose hair is tied tightly in a bun. Possibility a vivacious sex kitten lurks under that wholesome exterior?
I’ve got to run. I just remembered that my French maid is scheduled to clean my house tonight.
Jake: hahaha! And I thought *I*had the rich fantasy life! There are no bun-topped librarians at the libraries I go to. I either see 20-something Chinese (male and female) or middle-aged women of various races, sizes and shapes. I haven’t been to this one branch in a while but I used to see this middle-aged geeky-looking white guy. What was geeky? Big glasses, pale skin, short-sleeved button-down shirts, kinda soft-looking.