Author Topic: The Library (Read 208110 times)

pedln · « **Reply #280 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:14:53 PM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat always out.
Do come in from the cold and join us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not) right now.

Let the book talk begin here!

Everyone is welcome!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #281 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:26:17 PM »

I got a book holder - actually two, because i use one for my pattern books when knitting and crocheting - at Levengers for about 30 dollars, years ago. They have what looks like an even better version now for $28.........here's the link

(the original link i gave to the exact page didn't work, just try www.Levenger.com and then click on "reading tools.)

They also have more expensive "reading tools." I love my two, i use them all the time. They can be tilted and adjusted for different size books, and they sit on the table.....................no hurting hands..........jean

maryz · « **Reply #282 on:** January 18, 2009, 01:59:28 PM »

Thanks, jean, for the link. That's very interesting. I read most often in my La-Z-Boy chair, not at a table, but I guess it could be used in a lap, too. Since we've been talking about this, i've been getting more and more interesting in getting a Kindle or something similar. I checked my library's web site to see if they had books to download to the computer. They don't - yet - but they do offer a set of e-mail book clubs. They e-mail you 2-3 pages a day to read, and start a new book every week. I signed up for the mystery club, and we'll see how it goes.

Ours is a city-county library, so is funded (and criticized) by two government entities. Last year, the city set up a task force to look at the library system and make recommendations. Over some mild protests, the task force hired some consultants for an outside evaluation. The report was published today, and it is scathing!

The opening line in the story is "Hamilton County's public libraries are ugly, irrelevant and mismanaged..." Wow! Click here to read the whole article. It'll be interesting to see the response from the gov't bodies.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #283 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:09:58 PM »

Mary - on the "reading tools" page, they also have a "lap" holder, altho it's over $100, i don't know why!!! It just has a little more wood than the "table" type. I think you could place the "table" model on your lap comfortably. You can even pick your wood type and PERSONALIZE it if you wish. Amazing..................I'm having de ja vue, have we had this conversation before? ........jean

maryz · « **Reply #284 on:** January 18, 2009, 04:07:08 PM »

jean, I saw that one, too. And, if we've had this conversation before, I've forgotten it, too. $:-\$ $:-\$

pedln · « **Reply #285 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:42:48 PM »

Wow, MaryZ, that's some article. I'd say your public library system is in trouble. Aside from not having a sense of direction, is it primarily a lack of funding or not meeting the needs of its patrons? Looks like bridges need to be built. Back in the 70's I was working on my library degree and took a class taught by Nashville public library director David Stewart. I remember him saying how he made a point of hiring the children of city council members for summer jobs in the libraries. I guess every bit of PR helps when your competing for civic dollars.

maryz · « **Reply #286 on:** January 18, 2009, 07:52:27 PM »

pedln, we've been told by the mayor that he is definitely in favor of supporting the library, and the city commission has allotted funding. But only if it is matched by the county commission - which hasn't been done. The county mayor says that he's all in favor of funding, IF one of the county commissioners will champion the cause. And none of them have done so. It's my understanding that none of the county commissioners even has a library card. There's a lot of competition between the city and the county - so almost every joint venture gets into a p...ing contest. It's a mess!

EvelynMC · « **Reply #287 on:** January 18, 2009, 08:27:37 PM »

Pedlin - Thanks for the link to the Laidback Laptop Holder. I emailed the link to my daughter. She has bad back problems and always has to sit in her recliner rather than a straight back chair. This would help her tremendously, I think.

JoanP - I give my books to the library and they either put them in the library book sale or they end up on the library shelves.

We have a very good library for the size of our town. We are very fortunate that we have a very progressive library director. When we moved here 15 years ago, the library was in a very old building, bulging at the seams and very limited. Then very forward thinking people banded together, formed the Friends of the Library, and it took off from there. We have a new library built about 10 years ago and now they are building on an addition. I don't know how it all happened, but I sure go there all the time and support it whenever, where ever I can.

Evelyn

pedln · « **Reply #288 on:** January 18, 2009, 10:36:36 PM »

My soap box -- equitable library service for all. It ain't gonna happen and I should keep quiet because my working years were in a school library, not a public one, and I don't know about everything the directors have to deal with. And each public entity is different. In the 1960's the state of Missouri froze certain library districts, with the intent of safeguarding the tax base of rural libraries. In my community the city limits have expanded beyond the library limits with the result of having a lot of p o'ed folk who can't use the city library and have to drive 10 miles to the regional library. And unfortunately, the people so affected are the very ones who, if they were included in the library boundaries, would provide strong support for the library and its tax base.

kiwilady · « **Reply #289 on:** January 19, 2009, 02:49:16 AM »

Because my arthritis is so painful in my hands now I read few books in print. The weight of the books and the way you have to hold a book restricts me to a half hour at a time. Thats not enough for this voracious reader. I can get almost anything on CD from my local library. I have a Player in the living room and one in the bedroom so I can still enjoy a book before settling down for sleep. I am so fortunate my city is so keen on their library system. They are talking about combining the 4 cities in my region into a super city. I am against it as I know our library system will suffer. Other cities are not so generous with their library systems and learning centres. One of the wealthiest cities has an abyssmal library service. I don't want us to end up like them. My city (West Auckland or Waitakere as its called) when they last did a survey, had the biggest group of readers in the country. I think its because of the facilities that we have and the way the library system reaches out and encourages the young readers.

I read one print book every couple of weeks and the rest of my books are on CD. I will get a print copy if I am joining in a discussion.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #290 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:37:08 AM »

Florida counties seem to be cutting back hours on their libraries in this economy. Actually although I understand, it really doesnt make too much sense. Out of work people need somewhere to go to check out the internet.. More jobs are advertised on the web than newspapers nowadays. Plus you can learn about all sorts of things to help you if you are unemployed. Libraries perform all sorts of useful tasks for people with little money, but the need to get online.

CubFan · « **Reply #291 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:04:22 AM »

I read somewhere once (and I wish I had kept a copy) that during the Great Depression libraries remained free and no libraries closed in US because they were primary the source of information for everyone.

I would also think that statistics would show that as the economy worsens library usage goes up. It is really difficult to keep libraries funded because those controlling the finances aren't the users, libraries do not generate income, and other than circulation records their impact on society is difficult to measure.

Since it is early in the day, the sun is shining and I want to keep a positive outlook on life I won't get into the politics and attitudes of funding for public libraries and school library/media centers. Mary

Babi · « **Reply #292 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:08:50 AM »

A good point, PATH. If you 'read' a book by listening to it while sleeping, how would you remember it? Would it seem like a highly detailed dream? Would it just be a collection of facts now lodged in your brain, with no emotional impact?
I have no idea. Has anyone here any knowledge of how this would work?

"It's my understanding that none of the county commissioners even has a library card."
That would explain a good deal, MARYZ.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #293 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:09:28 AM »

I am fortunate to live in a County in Georgia that has a magnificent library system. We have a 1 cent county sales tax (and a large population) from which many new libraries have been built and equipped. This tax, which is dedicated to specific areas like the libraries, police and fire stations, parks and road projects, was renewed with wide support at our last election. Our library system was recognized a few years ago as the best in the nation. We also have outstanding parks in our county. However, I am sure our system will also suffer cutbacks even though the libraries have increased circulation and usage.

Babi · « **Reply #294 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:14:38 AM »

LARRY, where in Georgia do you live? Our friend Mahlia's son David, the chaplain, will be transferred with his family to Georgia soon. It would be neat if they got to enjoy the best library system in the nation!

ANNIE · « **Reply #295 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:52:26 AM »

For those of you who are interested in a laptop holder or book holder, I just saw this one on TV and here it is:

http://www.as-seen-on-tv-products.ws/store/porta-book-multifunctional-book-laptop-stand-p-2307.html

And its not expensive either!

No I am not a salesman, this just popped up at the right time!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #296 on:** January 19, 2009, 12:18:57 PM »

I think you can buy these at your neighborhood Walgreens or CVS stores.

ANNIE · « **Reply #297 on:** January 19, 2009, 01:44:04 PM »

I think you might be right. Our CVS always has "As Seen On TV" items on their shelves. I didn't know about Walgreens doing the same but I will be looking.
My husband made a laptop holder for me to use while I was in the hospital last year. The saavy folks who worked on that floor wanted to know where to get one. Ralph could have stood out in the hospital parking lot and made a small fortune.
"Having said that" , I will admit that his was not so diversable in use as this one is and I going looking for this for traveling. Looks good to me!

nlhome · « **Reply #298 on:** January 19, 2009, 01:53:49 PM »

Someone was talking about the value of libraries. A study was done in the state of Wisconsin that came up with the amount of $4.06 for each dollar of taxpayer investment. This study was reported in 2008, so fairly recent numbers. Other states have done similar studies, but I don't know what their results were. Still, it is also fairly accepted knowledge that the usage of libraries increases during times of economic trouble.

It's important to support libraries, but it is also important to let those who represent us in our local governments know how important the library is.

maryz · « **Reply #299 on:** January 19, 2009, 02:08:46 PM »

AdoAnnie - thanks for that link. Our Walmart also has an As Seen on TV section.

jane · « **Reply #300 on:** January 19, 2009, 04:10:22 PM »

nlhome: Would you have a citation for me so that I might be able to find that study? I'm VERY interested in finding it, as both a retired librarian and as a member of a Board of Trustees of a public library that also gets funding from both the city and the county.

THANKS!!

jane

maryz · « **Reply #301 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:00:17 PM »

Gee, jane - I didn't know that your library was in the same fix that ours is. And we're both on the boards of the Friends of the Library. We do what we can. I'd like the link to that study, too.

jane · « **Reply #302 on:** January 19, 2009, 06:23:07 PM »

Yep, Mary...and when the Library opened the new addition, one of the County Supervisors, who said publicly he was sure the circulation figures sent to them monthly couldn't possibly be right...that many people didn't go to the library!...said, within MY hearing..."I've never been in here before."

Gee...no joke! Some of us wondered in private if he could even read!

If it's not road graders and buying gravel for the county roads and fixing bridges, they don't want anything to do with anything. Luckily, he's now gone and some new faces are on the County Board.

jane

pedln · « **Reply #303 on:** January 19, 2009, 06:54:24 PM »

It's been a few years, but one of our staff was teaching a lower level English class, which I think is the only English (or language arts) class he ever taught. He was a good guy, had especially good rapport with athletes. Anyway, he sent his students to the library to find books for book reports. And later he told us that he did not want his kids reading paperbacks. And after a few years he was made principal. We called him Mr. Peter Principle.

I must say that I'm delighted for our public library here. For years they'd never been able to pass an increase in the library tax levy, but a few years ago the board, the staff, the community put on a very well-planned drive, and passed a substantial increase. So now we look forward to moving in April from our temporary library to a newly renovated building almost double in size with lots of new amenities.

Robby · « **Reply #304 on:** January 19, 2009, 09:19:06 PM »

I see that on a national level Borders is struggling and may be approaching closing. Is that relevant to what you are all talking about?

Robby

EvelynMC · « **Reply #305 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:01:07 PM »

Our library is a county library not a city library as I indicated in an earlier post. Our county has about 100,000 people, whereas the city has about 38,000. So it has a bigger tax base than it would have from just the city.

There are many programs for children, young people, adults and also movies at different times. They also have chamber music from time to time, blue grass, country, etc. Many different progams going on. It's a very busy place.

Steph · « **Reply #306 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:03:37 AM »

I love libraries and always visit the library when we moved all those years to be sure we had one.. Some were tiny and some were marvelous, but always a library.
I am reading Waiter-Rant.. written by a waiter, who blogged and then decided to write about his experiences. It is good in some ways. I dont always agree with him.. but I see where he is mostly coming from. The only doubt I have that he would never understand... I notice as we get older, that we are always led past all of the front tables and put somewhere in the back. We have learned to simply say.. no..Up front or not at all. He talks about being put where they want you, but I dont agree.. Anyone else feel that us old guys get stuck in the back.. As I live in Florida th e great majority of people eating out tend to be older people..So maybe the restaurants will wise up on this.

marcie · « **Reply #307 on:** January 20, 2009, 02:15:38 PM »

Hello, everyone. I've been watching the inaugural ceremonies for the US President.

I thought that President Obama's inaugural speech was superb and struck the right balance between formidable challenges and hope for our future if we work together. I thought that the poem by Elizabeth Alexander caught the right spirit too and spoke of the power of the written word. There is an interview with her at http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1872643,00.html?iid=tsmodule

I think that each of us in our community here at SeniorLearn can make contributions to studying and sharing the power of words to better understand one another and our world. I'm glad to have this place to learn and share.

Pat · « **Reply #308 on:** January 20, 2009, 02:45:45 PM »

Libraries in this area of Illinois belong to the Alliance Library System.
Our local library in our village - Altona - is very small -- but the librarian will send for any book you want.

Cards are free and are accepted by any library in the Alliance System -- which includes Peoria, Knox College Western IL, and 24 counties in west central Illinois.

I volunteer with Friends of the Library in Galesburg, serving as treasurer, our memberships includes about 100 people who contribute about $3000.00 a year. We have 2 book sales a year and raise another $6000.00 -- all of which is returned to library in support of many projects.

But we are in trouble too. Our building is bursting at the seams. Our local economy has been terrible for the last 3 years when Maytag and Butler Bldgs closed their plants.

We're hoping for passage of a referendum to increase the Library tax.

PS. Obama's speech was very good -- giving hope to a change.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #309 on:** January 20, 2009, 03:12:25 PM »

Babi, I live in Gwinnett County, Georgia. If you are interested in seeing the website here is the link: http://www.gwinnettpl.org/index.html We have about 750,000 people in our county as we are a suburb of Atlanta. When I first moved to this county in 1980 there were only about 100,000 people so I have seen many changes over the years, including a great increase in traffic.

Robby · « **Reply #310 on:** January 21, 2009, 06:41:46 AM »

I regularly write articles which are published in the local periodicals where I live. One article which will be published next month is on the topic of "volunteering." I think that fits in with Obama's message that the activities of all of us in helping each other is what makes our nation strong.

Robby

Steph · « **Reply #311 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:51:06 AM »

I liked the speech and the announcements. Now to rev up the economy. When you are retired and do not have apension,, you need a strong stock market to keep up.. Florida had a building jag and is suffering from it. I live where people should never have been able to buy a house.. Would you believe someone with a 20,000.00 income was allowed to buy a 400,000.00 house. Didnt matter they had 10,000. down.. Why would anyone loan them that sort of money.

Babi · « **Reply #312 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:05:25 AM »

Thank you, LARRY. I'll pass that on to Mahlia. Of course, I have no idea which county David and his family will live in, but it will probably be wherever the military base is located.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #313 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:23:17 AM »

Our Library, The Columbus Metropolitan Library, has a huge sign in the entrance - WE ARE THE LARGEST IN THE NATION, AGAIN - I thought you might be interested in its budget:

http://www.columbuslibrary.org/docs/ebranch/2007AnnualBudgetReport.pdf

As you can see a large portion of its expenses go toward personnel; almost 50% of its income is from property taxes. We have always supported our public library, with its numerous branches. I am a Friend of the Library.

JoanK · « **Reply #314 on:** January 21, 2009, 03:21:03 PM »

My local library branch is one of the smallest I've ever seen. But also one of the friendliest, and they will get books for me from the well supplied main branch. It is a block from where I live, so my caretaker can push me there in my wheelchair, and that is my favorite outing. All the staffers know us and are glad to see us.

The first time we went, my caretaker said she would wait outside -- that she didn't belong there. I said it's a public library, it belongs to you. She had never been in a library before, and now she is learning how to draw using the books on drawing that they have. She can't wait to go.

marcie · « **Reply #315 on:** January 21, 2009, 03:46:52 PM »

That's an uplifting story, Joan. It's good to hear about people being introduced to the riches of our public library system. Our library was modernized a few years ago and has expanded capacity in a lovely, open building with a computer room too. We can request books from any library in our county. And we can make requests online from libraries in northern California.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #316 on:** January 21, 2009, 03:56:44 PM »

Computers are not only changing the way we do business, they are changing our leisure time. I can request anything online from my home and my library has all these computers lined up for people to use and they do. They are always busy! I wonder how they used that space before the computers were put in.

However, I think I know. Books are getting less space in libraries and I do hate to see that. For one thing, shelves are full of movies (which I don't think belong in libraries), audio books, tables, and loads of tables with computers on them. But as Marcie said, we can request any book online and it will be sent to our branch from our main library and our universities.

JOANK, will you email me, please. I have a question.

pedln · « **Reply #317 on:** January 21, 2009, 07:03:46 PM »

Quote from: Ella Gibbons on January 21, 2009, 03:56:44 PM

Books are getting less space in libraries and I do hate to see that. For one thing, shelves are full of movies (which I don't think belong in libraries), audio books, tables, and loads of tables with computers on them.

Ella, libraries are the information hub of the community, which includes a lot more than books. And good libraries are responsive to the media needs of their patrons. Our library has had a good collection of music CDs for years -- classical, rock, pop. At one time people could check out framed pictures to hang on their walls for a month at a time -- I don't know if they still do that. Children can check out toys. Today I picked up several tax forms. Some libraries have media equipment to check out, and no doubt there are some that check out laptop computers. (I don't think ours does.) As formats and interests change, libraries change. They have to.

nlhome · « **Reply #318 on:** January 21, 2009, 08:52:02 PM »

Jane, here is one link: http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/econimpact.html

The top article is the one I refer to, but there are other studies done as well.

Wisconsin libraries are supervised by the Department of Public Instruction, and there are state regulations to follow, including some funding requirements.

jane · « **Reply #319 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:04:04 PM »

Thank you, nlhome!

jane

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 208110 times)