Are libraries hard to access where you live?

**imagine** · 01-11-2012, 03:25 PM

I was wondering about library access.

Here I live it is a gathering place, centrally, located, free use to all, and always busy.

What is it like where you live?

**Nishu** · 01-11-2012, 03:27 PM

Right now they are because I have lost a couple books and probably have about $50 in late fines and I'm too embarrassed/lazy to go in and deal with it.

Hahah. Joking.

Sort of.

**Frufru** · 01-11-2012, 03:35 PM

I love our local library! I usually check out a few books of months for me, CDs to listen to while commuting, and allow each child to check out one book for every year of age. So my 8 year old son can check out up to 8 books per library trip, etc. my only complaint is the DVDs that are usually scratched beyond belief so we start a movie that we can't finish. But other than that issue, I LOVE the library and think it is a wonderful use of my dollars as a taxpayer.

**Uniwolf** · 01-11-2012, 03:36 PM

ours is very easy to access, you just have to have a way to prove that you live within the city limits. They are open fairly late and everyday of the week with the exception of Legal holidays.

Love our library.

**McD** · 01-11-2012, 03:45 PM

My local library is easy for me to access. I work in the same complex and these are their hours:

Mon – Thurs 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Fri – Sat 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sun 1:00 PM–5:00 PM

It is centrally located within the city, but I can see how it would be difficult for someone to access who doesn't have their own transportation.

In my hometown (very rural) the library has much more limited hours:

Monday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

Keep in mind that the library there serves not only the town it is in but approximately 3-5 small villages and local farmers, etc. that are anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour away, with NO public transportation.

**mombottoo** · 01-11-2012, 03:54 PM

We have a county branch library in our town and it is easy to access. Downside is it is attached to the local elementary school. Which can cause issues with parking from time to time. Our library also has internet access, so for people without their own service it is a big plus.

**savvy_sniper** · 01-11-2012, 04:18 PM

The city keeps cutting library hours due to lack of funds. People pitched a fit when they said they were going to close the library closest to me on Saturdays. That is the only day many people can get there due to reduced days and hours during the week. They reneged, but it is only open for a few hours on Saturdays.

I no longer find it easy or convenient. You have to check online to see what days and times they are open because they change fairly regularly.

**Spirit Deer** · 01-11-2012, 04:36 PM

We're in a town of less than 4,000 and our library is open six days a week. Additionally, we have online access for downloading digital media, searching the card catalog, and requesting books and DVDs 24/7.

We can also request paper books through interlibrary loan, which we use heavily. Our library is part of a regional library system and we can order online from all libraries in the system, except the Duluth library. But our librarian can order for us from Duluth.

We have online access to the Minneapolis public library's digital media catalog, too, using our local library cards.

We could also get books by mail, if we wanted to. There's also a way to get books from any library in our state. I forget the details now.

Our library serves not only our permanent residents, but is also heavily used by thousands of summer residents.

Our library is free to anyone who signs up for a card.

One of our city councilmen wants to close our library. He said at a council meeting he's never been in it and doesn't see any real use for it. It still boggles my mind there could possibly be anyone left who is that ignorant.

**brennasmom** · 01-11-2012, 04:40 PM

I love our library.

Open weekdays + weekends, lots of resources, centrally located in town, right on a bus line. We use it tons!

Ours also has no late fees (I know!) you just can't check out additional books until those have been returned

**Ramona** · 01-11-2012, 04:41 PM

I ♥ our library, I'd be lost without it.

They're open 5 or 6 days a week, depending on school session and until 9 pm on certain days.

They have a website for requesting books, renewing and they're part of a 20 library consortium that shares books.

They'll email me when a book I've requested has arrived and hold it for 7 days.

**brennasmom** · 01-11-2012, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Ramona

I ♥ our library, I'd be lost without it.

They're open 5 or 6 days a week, depending on school session and until 9 pm on certain days.

They have a website for requesting books, renewing and they're part of a 20 library consortium that shares books.

They'll email me when a book I've requested has arrived and hold it for 7 days.

Ours also has the same hold and inter-library loan....so nice!

**moasmom** · 01-11-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by savvy_sniper

The city keeps cutting library hours due to lack of funds....I no longer find it easy or convenient. You have to check online to see what days and times they are open because they change fairly regularly.

This is exactly the same in my area. I still use the library a lot, but my work is close enough that I can drive over on my lunch break. Otherwise, there is only one evening a week that it's open later than 5 p.m. I don't even know if it's open on Saturdays any more since I'm not near it on the weekends. The one in my town is closed for an indefinite period.

It's pretty inconvenient and it makes me sad because I love libraries and think they are very important to communities for so many reasons.

Kara

**vm9799** · 01-11-2012, 04:52 PM

i live in a bigger city, so there are 14 branches to our local library. i live in an older part (read: big old old old houses in a city neighborhood), so we always use the huge main branch.

we love our library system though! ours is open 7 days a week during the school year (closed on sunday's over the summer) and stays open until 9p mon-thurs, and 6p fri-sun.

we do everything online.......pay late fees, place holds, renew books, cds, movies, etc. and we can order books from some of the larger libraries around if ours doesn't have it. and we're emailed for books coming due, and to let us know that our holds are ready for pick up.

**Menifeemom** · 01-11-2012, 05:02 PM

I adore our library system! We have 13 small libraries around the city and an amazing online site that enables you to find out what activities they are each hosting and to have materials sent to the one closest to where you live. They also have a mobile library that will bring your books to you if you sign up for the service online and use the website to make a list of books you want to read. We are actually leaving for a library in 30 minutes so my older two can attend an American Girl book club. I don't know what I would do without our libraries!!! Oh and at least one is even open on Sundays!! Love it!!!

**greekislandgirl** · 01-11-2012, 05:10 PM

There is a library in the city where we live but we've never visited it. I do know it doesn't have computers for the public.

I grew up in libraries. I volunteered in libraries all through high school and worked in them all through college. I miss them but they're just not part of the culture here.