What do you value from your library today?

[Sacramento Public Library]

Wayne Wiegand is an award winning author and literary scholar. In his latest book, Part of Our Lives he delves into the heart of why Americans love libraries. Wiegand traces the history of the public library and pays particular attention to the voices of the everyday patrons who cherished it. He paints a clear and engaging picture of Americans who value libraries not only as civic institutions, but also as social spaces for promoting and maintaining community. The Library is proud to host the star of his book tour this coming Wednesday, September 9, 6-7pm at Portal. (For more info on his appearance visit http://www.saclibrary.org/About-Us/Ne... )

One of the topics he wants to address on his tour is the pervasive belief libraries are somehow obsolete with the rise of technology. Now we here at Sacramento Public Library know that this is untrue. (SO untrue!) In many ways we are more relevant than ever. So we’re wondering, what do you value from your library today and what would you say to someone who says libraries are obsolete?

[❤Marie]

I value so much it is hard to say but I'll give it a go. I value the variety of formats offered, books, e-books, audiobook CDs, e-audiobooks, DVDs. I value the convenience, I can browse online and reserve whatever I desire. I value the library building with a temperature that is always cool especially when it is so hot outside. I value the events offered by the library, my children have been to many Minecraft sessions. I value the free Wi-Fi and computers and ability to print at a reasonable cost. I know there is more but I will end for now. Thank you library staff!

[Eric]

I think Marie covers basically everything I wanted to say.
First of all it's free! I don't have to worry about wasting money trying out a new author. If I don't like the book, I don't feel that I just threw my money away. I can also request books from other branches in the county if it's not available at my local branch. I can also checkout audiobooks and DVDs.
Finally, the due dates give me added incentives to finish the book. I have a Kindle reader and have countless books that I've started but never gotten around to finishing. Knowing that a library book is due soon will encourage me to finish the book. I live by the saying "If it wasn't for deadlines, nothing gets done."

[Teresa]

I agree with everything but finishing a book; I still want to live in the world of imagination where I believe I will finish that book! I find brand new ideas through looking at the books in the catalog and on the shelves and I love the process of it.I love to browse whether through the catalog, clicking on different topics or walking through the stacks, running my eyes along a specific subject. And the price! Free!

[Megan Lynn]

I have valve that I always can find a good book on the catalog, searching the fiction shelves. And that some librarians are actually friendly. But I tend to get nervous talking to them and use the self book check out instead. Only problem I have is 3M app because it's keep shutting out of it when I tried to download a book when I checked it out and the overdrive app is hard to use. At first when I use the app for weeks til out of nowhere it started crashing so I uninstalled it and then install it again, the same problem occurred again. So I stuck to my other reading apps. I love the new books that come in and don't mind checking them out.

[Sacramento Public Library]

Megan Lynn wrote: "Only problem I have is 3M app because it's keep shutting out of it when I tried to download a book when I checked it out and the overdrive app is hard to use. At first when I use the app for weeks til out of nowhere it started crashing so I uninstalled it and then install it again, the same problem occurred again. So I stuck to my other reading apps. ..."

We're sorry to hear that you are having problems with 3M and Overdrive. We'd be happy to help you with either. Just take your device to any library branch and staff can do some problem solving with you. Alternately you can email contact@saclibrary.org or call 264-2920.

[Megan Lynn]

Okay I'll do that thank you. :)

[Susan]

The library is the best use of tax dollars. There is something for everyone, regardless of education or economic position. While I can afford to buy books, many can not and would not read if it were not for our libraries. (Heck, I read so much that I really can't afford to buy them all! Thank you library for feeding the addiction!) I love seeing people looking for jobs, housing, etc on the computers. And I appreciate the community meeting rooms. But most of all, right now I appreciate the dvd catalog! Several times in the past few months I have been able to get a movie through the library that I couldn't find on cable, Netflix, etc.

[Teresa]

I listed a couple of things about the library that I love and that everyone notices but I totally forgot to mention the incredible programs they have. Right now I'm watching kids read to a real live dog in the library. I just missed going to a program for people to learn about art and then draw, there are live story times with puppets and singing, I've learned how to "cook" raw foods, cook with herbs, have tea, make plastic things...the list goes on and on and there are always new programs to interest me. These programs are a part of the library that I never saw when I was a kid and they make the library a brand new place for me.

[Carolyn F.]

First of all I love access to books (physical, ebook or audiobook) for no charge. I love that I can get DVDs for free. From what some of out-of-state friends say, that isn't always the case. I love my library's hours - Carmichael - being open Saturday and Sunday and early evenings. I'm involved with a book club there (when I can make it) and I enjoy that hour too. I'm thinking of visiting other libraries for the programs they offer. California/Sacramento has a great library system.