OH BOY! We're going to the Library!!!!

[twinflower]

:D  When I was a kid..that was a pretty common phrase in my vocabulary!!  I got my first library card at 5 years old..and my mom was faithful about taking me once a week to get new books and return the ones I checked out.  *smiles*  Thinking about that I was very lucky!  She fostered a love and passion that has been and is a big part of my life!!!

 

Libraries have changed a lot since I got that first card 41 years ago!!  Today's libraries aren't just buildings filled with books and magazines.  Nor are librarian's people who just love books and blue collar employee's!!  Most of the staff at libraries..even local, small ones have a bachelor's degree in Library Science!  The Head Librarian most likely has a Doctorate of Library Sciences!  They deal with budgets, personal, legalities AND of course the material of books and literature, computers and periodicals!!

 

This is National Library month!  Traditionally celebrated in the Kin..and this year, I thought it would be fun to chat about libraries!  Memories of them, I already mentioned one of many of mine..(lol wait till we get to highschool and flirting in the stacks!!!); about what the library IS today with computer access and laws; the collections and how they are chosen..why this book and not that one?  Why do they sell some off at library sales?  Do they even teach the dewy decimal system anymore?

 

Sooo...what are your thoughts?  Have you ever wondered about anything about the library?  When did you get your library card?  If you don't have one and get one this month...I'll give you ten points!!!!

[Taymist]

Ohhh yes, local libraries are a god send when you can't afford to buy all the books you want!! I've had a library card since I was a child and my Mum as much like yours Twin. A visit to the library was at least weekly and sometimes more often since, in the village, it was only two minutes up the road.

 

I've picked up a new library card every time I move to a different place and have one just round the corner from me now which I've used fairly frequently over the last 5 years. Now though, it's not just books. Things have changed a lot and I can pick up videos and DVD's to watch as well.

 

The other thing, here in the UK, which libraries are very involved with, is local Family History groups. They hold evening discussions on genealogy and provide access to records etc. They do tend to focus on the immediate area where they're situated but they're very helpful if your search takes you outwith it. The local staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.

 

I also noticed recently, that they're offering basic computing courses so that patrons can use the computer on site. Great news when your home pc suddenly gives up the will to live lol.

[Esperanza]

I like libraries. They've been a part of my life since I was teeny-tiny, too. I remember my mother taking my older sister and I to the library, getting a HUGE stack of books, and going home to sit down and read them all. I think I got my first card when we moved when I was eight. And I've had one ever since! When I was in my late teens and early twenties I bought most of my books and my library use dwindled but over the last eight years I've quit buying books unless they are very special and have great re-read potential. I got tired of stocking the used book store with stuff I'd only read once. However, I take a great deal of crap from my husband regarding library fines. Even though I can renew books online, I still can rack up $10 real quick if I'm not careful!  :-[

 

I started taking my eldest to the library when she was almost 2, and I don't think there has been a time since then that I haven't had something checked out. I now use it as a bribe when I go to the bank! If my son behaves, we go to the library. If he acts up, we go straight home. It's amazingly effective.

[MsDanya]

I love libraries too! Actually, the first time I picked up a WoT book was in the school library. I dont remember when I got my first library card, but we had a library about one minute away from where I grew up so I was there a lot. Unfortunately the libraries close to me are so small, and they havent exactly many books. So if I want anything Fantasy, I have to buy them. but I dont mind that  :)

[Sorandha]

With how much I love to read, I'm rather sad to say that my relationships with libraries haven't always been the best. The only library anywhere near where I lived as a child was in a shody part of town, so my parents and I wouldn't frequent it unless it was required for a class. Oftentimes if I did want to get a book from that library it wasn't in the best condition, and there were several times that something would come up and the book wouldn't be returned for a good three months. My school library was alright, but it was mostly filled with textbooks; nothing that would interest me for very long. So I got into the habit of buying my books since there were tons of very good book stores in my area.

 

Although now I occasionally peek into the library at my school, since there are all kinds of cool art books, DVD's, and video game reference material that I can check out.

[U4ea]

*grins* You're asking a book-freak teacher about going to the library? I volunteered to help the media specialist (that's what the school librarians are called these days...) get her Master's by bringing my class once a week! So far, we've only learned how to use the "card catalogue" (which is now electronic... sad, huh?) and do research in encyclopedias, but it's getting better! :)

 

I haven't had much time to go to the public libraries, but we have some awesome ones around here. I can't wait 'til Peanut is old enough for a library card! *dances around*

 

As for me, I've had a library card for as long as I can remember. So, I have no idea when I got it. I don't ever remember not having one. LOL And once I got my driver's license, I would think of excuses to go to the public library just up the street from my house. Fun stuff!

 

As for how they've changed, I'm kinda bummed that the kids don't have those cards to dig through to find a book. *grins* I loved that because it was a form of research, too. I guess this is easier for everyone, from the librarian to the person looking for a book, but... *sighs* I miss the cards...

[Samuraiflip05]

Well, were I lived growing up, we were just (I mean like feet) outside of the city limits, so there was a fee to have a library card.  Needless to say that didn't last long.  Since then I haven't gotten around to going to get one, especially now that I live "in" town.  Probably a good time to look into that with Bethany getting ready to start Preschool later this year.

[twinflower]

*pokes Sam and grins*  It definilty would be!!!  Most libraries also have some really great programs for kids to promote reading and involve them in literacy!

 

Oh..I soooo hated when the card catalogue became computerized.  *wails*  For the longest time I couldn't find anything!!!  I hated it!  what were those things called that you looked through to find magazine articles?  Those big red books...those I don't miss!  Finding articles with the computer is much much easier!! 

 

Oklahoma has a strange library system.  There is basically one library..but it is spread out over ten branches to cover the city and suburbs.  So the collection is not in one place.  Now, a couple years ago, as part of the City improvement..they built a beautiful new huge library downtown.  Since then they have really increased the collection available..but still. If you want a book, usually for me..it's at another branch!  So you fill out a request and it's deliverd to your branch within a week and you can go pick it up.  To me that is very frustrating!  I've never seen anything like this.

 

everywhere else I"ve been...each suburb had thier own library.  But there are some good things with this system...more accesability to everyone..a library is usually close by around here.  Each branch has several different programs as well as the programs the main library is running.  So lots of opportunites...but still wierd.

[Esperanza]

I have vague memories of actual card catalogues but when we moved back to Ohio when I was ten, the library was using a computerized one, so it's the one I have always used. And the Columbus Metropolitan Library system has absorbed almost all of the suburban libraries over the years. It's now made up of twenty-some branches, I think. For me, it's normal! I really like being able to request stuff online, at home, and just have to go pick it up at my closest branch or have my husband get it on his way home from work. There are very few books that I want that I can't get. But I do think I've been spoiled by it, and the times my husband and I have discussed moving far away, I find myself thinking, "But how could I give up my library???"

 

Now, the one local library that hasn't been assimilated has a wonderful feature that I'm horrified to love so much... they have a drive up pickup window for reserves. It seems like the height of lazy, until you have two sleeping kids in the back of the car or a 3 year old boy who seems intent on destroying everything he can reach.

[Guest nephitess]

I love libraries!!!! *WOOOOT*

 

I have a library card and have had one for a long time. me and my friend used to get lost in the local libray and meet up hours later. *ggls*

[MsDanya]

We have something like that here as well Twinnie. It really is frustrating if you really want a book and you have to wait for days to get it!

[F Horn of Valere]

I used to be allowed one item for every year of my age. All I can say to that is thank goodness I didn't write college essays when I was still lower teens... lol!

 

My sister uses her library a lot, both for books and for DVD's. They have an awesome selection of each. As for me... my library is called Amazon.com. :)

[Sienna]

i never cared much for hte library in my city. There was one on the way to my grandparents though and we would go there all the time. My mom would always read to us every night ( if we were good :P)which is why i love reading so much now. I've never had a library card because my mom wouldn't trust us to hold on to anything lol.

[twinflower]

*gasps and grabs heart*

 

oh be still my beating heart!!  A Horn visitation!!!  *grins*

 

But really Horn...you're in Korea now..have you had a chance to see what thier libraries are like?  or if they have them..in the sense American's think Library?  Be interesting to know...

 

Sienna..babe it's time to go get a library card!!!  *grins*

 

I am kind of middle of the road on the library DVD collection...on one hand..there isn't anything really very new..but there are lots of old things that you don't get to see very often!  They also have a good selection of non-fiction type things..like from the History Channel and Discovery!

 

Now..I know our library and most around the area has computer's available to get on the internet.  In fact..my first foray online was at the library!  You have to sign up for a time slot and can only have up to a certain amount of time per day..even if a comp is open.  I think it's a good deal!  Many people have access to being online this way!  BUT...I know from my sister in law..who is the Head Librarian at a library in a fairly smallish town in Oklahoma that it is a major headache for the library!

 

The headaches come from the kid's that use it..and having to put blocks on things, being aware of what they are looking at...like I know that DM is blocked at her library..and is at a couple of the branches here in the city. Why?  Because of some infractions on DM of the PG-13 rating.  Now my sister in law and I have argued about this..because it doesn't happen often..and the mods are very good at addressing and taking care of such things.  I told her to go browse the sight here..because there is a lot of great things about DM...*shrugs*  don't know if she did...

 

The thing is..it's a judgement call..and a form of censorship.  How do libraries determine censorship of the books they have?

[Samuraiflip05]

That's a little surprising...the College Library where I work has little to no restrictions due to anti censorship laws.  The librarians are very adamant about IT not blocking things.  But, they also try to keep tabs on any illicit activity.  We have arrested several over the years for porn usage.  (One was equine in nature)

[twinflower]

And they have the same issues!  but this is a city library and we are talking about underage users..that makes a difference...

[Samuraiflip05]

Just makes it worse...lol.

[twinflower]

what do you mean sam?  *puzzled look*

 

worse that they do it?  or that it needs to be done?

 

consider your little ones at the library on a computer unsupervised...maybe not her age now..but at thirteen or fourteen?

[Samuraiflip05]

Just that the difference is not that they can do it, but that they do, do it.

 

And while we do what we can to protect our little ones.  Logic requires that we realize that they will probably at some point and time get their hands on stuff of that nature.  Whether intentional or accidental, through a friend or by themselves, they are more likely than not to be exposed to it.  I believe preparedness is a better deterrant than isolation. 

 

I base that on my experiences as a child.  My parents were very open about those topics.  I had the balance of sensible conversation from some authority figures vs the influences of my uncles....lol.  Oh the stories. 

 

Very rarely do you see a child in Junior High (11-14 yo) that doesn't know quite a bit about sex, and at least an inkling of the vast market place for it.

 

Back on subject...lol...I was originally pointing out that you said your library has blocks on certain things.  I made the comparison that ours is adamantly against almost any type of blocks.  And when I said keep tabs.....that means they walk around once in a while and glance at monitors for content...lol. 

 

Sorry about the rant.  :o ;D

[twinflower]

;)  it was a good rant though..and a good point!

 

I agree on the preparedness aspect as well!  And it isn't as much the exposure to porn or "off color" or questionable material..although that was what I did say... ::)  I just didn't push it out far enough...

 

Like with my sis's library..it isn't so much the concern with the material content...as it is with on line predator type exposure..or I'm not even sure how to say it except out right...sites that deal with things like white supremacy or satanic things or cults.  Even adults who are supposed to be able to differentiate between safe and dangerous..get sucked in to them!  Again preparedness is the most effective tool..but then you come to the question of who is responsible for the teaching..parent or the institution providing the access?

 

For myself..I think the ideal answer would be both..but sadly that isn't always the case!  In a thing like with a public library...they have to make a call..and sadly the bottom line is to cover thier own asses legally more than about protecting the child...

[Samuraiflip05]

You hit on a big, big problem in this country(and maybe the world) and one of my biggest peeves.  Parent;s should be the front line in the proper raising of their children.  Wal-Mart shouldn't do it by forcing record labels to tone down content in order to be sold.  THe gov't shouldn't do it by mandating censorship.  Advocate groups should not do it by trying to ban TV/Video game violence.  It should be the parents.  The parents, the parents, the parents!

 

Sorry,  ;)

 

And what is the matter with people nowadays, that we have to have shows like "To Catch a Predator".  Shameful.

[twinflower]

*grins a little*

 

Oh this is my soapbox Sam!!  The community and how it has changed and the way responsibility is taken!!  I won't go on and on...BUT..while the parent's do have the primary front line responsibility..this is a relatively new perspective in history.  Originally..the community was responsible for EVERYONE!  Not just being aware but being activly involved in teaching manors, traditions, customs, laws, right and wrong!  It has only been since the industrial revolution that families became isolated..and ALL the responsibility became just the parent's and not the extended family and then the whole community!  And..I believe that was a healthier community than the ones we have now of "I don't want to get involved"  "It's none of my business"  I only take care of number one and that's ME"  It's somewhat encouraging to see involvement on a greater scale.  Now having said that...it is also true that way back..the communities were also pretty self contained of thier own cultures, and perspective of right and wrong!  Today, with the diversity of our society..those perspectives are blurred and so what is right and wrong or acceptable behavior gets a bit blurred!  Hence the controversies when people DO get involved or set standards.  Still..there is or we should be able to find a bottom line we can all agree on!  At the very least..supporting the parents!

 

Ok..back to the library discussion..lol

 

I have been waiting for a book I reserved three weeks ago for my floriography seminar.  It was supposed to be returned two weeks ago..and it hasn't been!!  ArGGGGHHHH!  Now..i am as guilty of not returning my library books as everyone else...but it's still frustrating!!

 

Do fines really work in getting books back on time?

[Sienna]

Parents should be taking responsibility for what their children watch and do, but stuff happens sometimes. Back in elementary school these two girls i knew where working on their frence project and typed in pigs and got a bunch of porn sites. Also it is incredibly easy to get around internet blocks at school. My school has definately over done it with the blocks though. You cant even look at guitars on there.

 

Twinnie when i go to college i will be at the library all the time and i will get a card then but right now i just buy my books and plus my cities down town is frightning. If you have seen silent hill the movie that is the city where i live literally.

[Samuraiflip05]

Growing up I knew quite a few of my neighbors.  Now, I don't know any of them.  Of course part of that is the 4 houses that border the side of my property are rentals with changing residents.

 

I think that the modern day diversity of neighborhoods and fear of strangers are the major deterrents to knowing your neighbors.  You don't have those neighborhoods that are all Irish, or Italian.....You can't even be certain your neighborhood is entirely christian anymore. 

 

And yes I have been on the wait for overdue items before....although I think the last time it was a movie from the video store.  ::)

[twinflower]

Sienna, I hope you book store is safe!!  Wow..that sucks!!

 

You are so right about the neighborhoods Sam!!  *grins*  I am an anomoly!  I lived in the same house from the day I was born until I got marrried!  And had the same neighbors for the whole time!!  For the most part...there were ten familiy homes..and some of them still live there!  In fact..when my dad got sick and died...these people weren't quite family and yet so much more than friends...they are our loved ones!  That is a really unusual situation to find today!