Do you use the local public library?

[ZLoth]

Does anyone use their local public library? One of the things I did when I moved to Texas is get a library card for the city that I live in. Because of where I'm located, the public libraries of two neighboring cities are closer than the one for my city, but I was able to get a free library card because of reciprocating agreements.

The funny part is that I'm rarely checking out physical books from my library. However, digital services are another matter. All three libraries that I belong to subscribe to Kanopy, Hoopla, and Overdrive/Libby which are digital services that offer ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming videos.

Anyways, what is your opinion of your public library?

[WillWeaverRVA]

On occasion. I have active library cards that I typically use for online services like Overdrive, which are really convenient.

[SectorZ]

Just used mine today for the first time in forever.

However, it was to drop off used eyeglasses in the Lions donation bin.

[JayhawkCO]

We bring my 3-year-old there all the time.

[Max Rockatansky]

No, but I visited the Caltrans library last year.  I also took a periodical donation a couple years ago from a BART director which was intended for the Oakland Public Library.

[DTComposer]

We're at our library branch about once a month - my son gets 2-3 books, my wife usually gets one, and I'll occasionally get one, but more often will browse their local collections. However, I just registered with their e-book service and have started to read on my iPad.

When I was in SoCal, I was at the Long Beach Main branch at least once every other week (it helped that it was directly across from where I lived). They had a lot of good stuff on local roads, particularly the Long Beach Freeway (CA-7/I-710) and the cancelled Crosstown Freeway (would have been CA -1). I also had a card at the Glendale library (the Brand Arts Library had some great collections, particularly for music).

Even earlier, it was at the Santa Barbara library that I found a copy of the 1920 California Highways book. This was right at the dawn of the web, so not much was available online, and this felt like quite a find for a young roadgeek.

[Bruce]

Of course. Some library programs are funded by states based on use, so even it's important to use your library for whatever you see fit.

My home system has reciprocal agreements with neighboring areas that opens up a lot of other systems and their resources. I can get free access to newspaper archives, databases, and research assistance from various libraries, which I use a lot in my writing.

[Rothman]

I use their online resources.

[kurumi]

Yes. Physical books, e-books, audio, online news archives. Interlibrary loan, in the old days (now the remote library usually prefers to just scan things for you, if it's a few images).

I also used to carve out a full afternoon at the CT state library when I visited CT.

I've also helped with summer reading programs and other events (example: ESL students write short stories, usually autobiographical, that are collected and published).

Libraries are one of the remaining "third places" in the US where people and families can hang out, read, study, etc. and are not expected to spend money.

[Henry]

From my childhood, I've been known to haunt the local library mainly to read about potential travel destinations across the U.S. and Canada.

[DandyDan]

I used to go there about once a week before COVID-19 hit, but now it's more like once a month. It can be a little more often than that if for some reason, I have to print something out. I got to meet my now-former state senator at the local public library, FWIW.

[epzik8]

I used to use mine as a kid when I actually read books. Now it's just to print things because I currently don't have my own printer access.

[hotdogPi]

I do game night at one of the nearby public libraries, although not the closest nor the one corresponding to the municipality I live in.

[GaryV]

We used to go regularly. Then they closed (most of) the free parking lot at our city's library, so we started going to one of the two cities next to ours (we have reciprocity). But during Covid we got used to using our Kindles, so we seldom go any more. My wife did check out a book from inter-library loan recently, to see if it was worthwhile for her to buy it.

[NWI_Irish96]

Pre-COVID, I used the public library to print anything I needed printed. Once COVID hit, I just bought a printer and haven't been back since.

[elsmere241]

I'm at mine quite frequently, to the point that they know where to get the books I requested right when I come in.

Yes, I've stuck with books.  Even though I have a Kindle, I primarily use it for music.

[JayhawkCO]

I'm at mine quite frequently, to the point that they know where to get the books I requested right when I come in.

Yes, I've stuck with books.  Even though I have a Kindle, I primarily use it for music.

Genuine question. What does a Kindle do for music that a phone doesn't?

[elsmere241]

Genuine question. What does a Kindle do for music that a phone doesn't?

For one, it's larger and easier to handle.  Actually, I started putting music on it long before I had a smartphone, and I've kept that up, in part, because I don't want to take up the phone's memory if I don't have to.

[JayhawkCO]

Genuine question. What does a Kindle do for music that a phone doesn't?

For one, it's larger and easier to handle.  Actually, I started putting music on it long before I had a smartphone, and I've kept that up, in part, because I don't want to take up the phone's memory if I don't have to.

Fair enough!

[hbelkins]

I'm at mine quite frequently, to the point that they know where to get the books I requested right when I come in.

Yes, I've stuck with books.  Even though I have a Kindle, I primarily use it for music.

Genuine question. What does a Kindle do for music that a phone doesn't?

The Kindle doesn't ring and interrupt the music when you get a phone call.

This is precisely why I like to keep my audio listening devices separate from my phone. If only there was a way to turn off your phone but keep your data service handy for streaming audio...

I listen to podcasts on an old iPhone 6s that's had its SIM removed. I download them via wifi and play them in the vehicle.

[JayhawkCO]

I'm at mine quite frequently, to the point that they know where to get the books I requested right when I come in.

Yes, I've stuck with books.  Even though I have a Kindle, I primarily use it for music.

Genuine question. What does a Kindle do for music that a phone doesn't?

The Kindle doesn't ring and interrupt the music when you get a phone call.

This is precisely why I like to keep my audio listening devices separate from my phone. If only there was a way to turn off your phone but keep your data service handy for streaming audio...

I listen to podcasts on an old iPhone 6s that's had its SIM removed. I download them via wifi and play them in the vehicle.

Also fair enough point. I guess I only average maybe one phone call a day, so not too much of a deterrent for me.

[DTComposer]

This is precisely why I like to keep my audio listening devices separate from my phone. If only there was a way to turn off your phone but keep your data service handy for streaming audio...

There should be a 'do not disturb' setting on your phone? I use that all the time to turn off calls/texts/notifications while still streaming/browsing. You can also specify certain contacts who will ring through anyway (emergency contacts, etc.).

[kphoger]

You can also specify certain contacts who will ring through anyway (emergency contacts, etc.).

This depends on your phone.  Some are 'all or nothing', others allow you to specify certain contacts.  (I only know this because of my wife.)

[Takumi]

We use both the city and county libraries, which have a mutual use program for residents of one or the other.

[hbelkins]

I have the ringer silencer on the side of my phone (it's an iPhone) but I'm not sure if that would stop an incoming call from interrupting audio or not.

But to answer the original question, I use the local library and I have a card from the state Division of Libraries & Archives.