Children's Books discussion
Conversations: books & readers
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How much do you use your library? (And how much money does it save you?)
Cheryl, I've opted out of my library keeping my record. You should be able to do that. Some people use their libraries the way we use Goodreads and they like having a record of what they've read.
Cheryl wrote: "I just found out that my local library has been keeping a loan history. Over the last almost two years, on my card, I've borrowed 939 items. Uff da. That would be a lot of money!They can't do that! It's illegal and goes against the librarian code of ethics. After you return your books, your record should be wiped out and you start again. Your tally should just be for what you check out right then and there. That's a faulty system they have in place at your library.
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I know my mom opted in, in her system years ago, because it's easier for her to use than GR just to keep track. But you're all correct; this should definitely not be happening by default. I will talk to them.
Cheryl wrote: "Thanks all. I will definitely look into it. I know my mom opted in, in her system years ago, because it's easier for her to use than GR just to keep track. But you're all correct; this should defi..."
It may not be a violation of your state laws. And this law doesn't seem to apply to e-book sites either. I can erase my OverDrive history.
Cheryl, Whatever the laws are you should be able to delete your history. If you sign into your account and look around you might be able to do that without a librarian's help.
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message 108:
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Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jun 19, 2020 11:04AM)
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The good news is that my (youngest) son knew immediately what I was asking about. He says that the history is just on my account, and that staff is trained to know that it's illegal for the library to keep that information for themselves. They can't see it. If someone like Homeland Security wanted to, it would be a big pita to access; it's not there.
I will check again to see about erasing it anyway, but, as I said, I am fortunately of no interest to surveillance... I did some 'interesting' research back in NV so I'm glad they didn't keep records there, though!
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Good to know. Thanks!
I work at the library. I can check out books and ebooks which saves money. I have always loved reading.
Cheryl wrote: "I think it was always there. I just suddenly happened to see it. They use LS2 PAC which is the same system my (older, independent) sons' library does in OKC, but OKC doesn't have that history avail..."That’s good, Cheryl. I’d still prefer to have records removed as materials are returned.
Good to know Cheryl! Glad your son could help.
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How wonderful to be surrounded by books all day, Bethany! :-)
We have rarely ever used our two libraries because of the distance and rigamaro to go through in order to use. Even with E-books one must have a physical account and library card. Twice a year however, we go to their book sales that are in support of the library and purchases books for 1.00 or less. Towards the end of the sale, you can get a huge bag for 5.00
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I love library sales! In our previous district, we could fill a bag for $5.00 the entire day. If you didn't fill a bag, children's picture books were ten cents each which is such a bargain! I forget what the individual price of novels and other adult books were but it was very reasonable (I always ended up filling a bag!) I even scored some gems that were, alas, discarded from the library. A few times I found some wonderful antique books for a fraction of the cost of purchasing online. Our library also had a "Friends of the Library" bookshelf in the lobby all the time where you could purchase books, but that was usually more expensive than the monthly sales. Our new district only does sales twice a year and I was not that impressed with the selection, unfortunately. But, I'm picker now because I have so many books already ;-)
Kathryn wrote: "Thomas wrote: "We have rarely ever used our two libraries because of the distance and rigamaro to go through in order to use. Even with E-books one must have a physical account and library card. Tw..."That is absolutely amazing! I wish they had that ay my library but most places I have been to sell books at least $1 per or higher. It is still cheap, but I am just healous haha.
This quarantine has cut off my main supply of reading material. The library friends store had books from .50 to 2.00. More devastating to me was the closing of the old courthouse, which boasts a vast catacomb of books for sale in its basement. Among treasures to be discovered are battered best-selling tomes in every genre from the 1920s, '30s, '40s, '50s, etc. I eagerly await its eventual reopening.
Thomas wrote: "We have rarely ever used our two libraries because of the distance and rigamaro to go through in order to use. Even with E-books one must have a physical account and library card. Twice a year howe..."I adore the book sales! I've found so many out of print gems, especially with children's fiction.
Bethany wrote: "I work at the library. I can check out books and ebooks which saves money. I have always loved reading."Good for you!! :) Libraries are so important.
The library I can walk to is back open! I just don't know if I want to walk there on the narrow sidewalks. That street is always so busy!
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It's a dilemma, indeed.
I've not actually visited my library yet but am still using curbside.
My library is still completely closed. We are not even allowed to return checked out materials. E- and streaming only. They keep extending our due dates and right now it’s stance is September 30. I’m afraid it’s going to be a year or more before there are changes.
Lisa wrote: "My library is still completely closed. We are not even allowed to return checked out materials. E- and streaming only. They keep extending our due dates and right now it’s stance is September 30. I..."oooh that's horrible! I'd cry! Not all our libraries are open but there's a great need for them here in the cities. They provide not just books but also literacy, education and they're cooling centers.
QNPoohBear wrote: "oooh that's horrible! I'd cry! Not all our libraries are open but there's a great need for them here in the cities. They provide not just books but also literacy, education and they're cooling centers. "We rarely need cooling centers in my city (though on rare occasions we do) but it's a huge loss in almost every way.
For some reason they don't seem to have/get more e-copies so queues are often long and it's hard to find books they have. Thank goodness for other sites too, but there are still a lot of books I might have read that because of the pandemic I don't have access to them. That's better than tens or hundreds of thousands of local deaths and severe illnesses though.
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Selected libraries are open as cooling centres during the recent heat wave but only for cooling and nothing else.
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Oh, gosh, Lisa! That is so tough. I'm sorry. It was hard for me going two months without our library. I can't imagine going a year or more without access to hard copies of books. That is too bad about the e-book situation, as well. What is so sad and frustrating is that this is the time when people NEED books and other resources that libraries provide more than ever to help stave off the boredom and depression surrounding the COVID situation and for parents who are trying to keep children occupied when so many of the normal activities are unavailable to them. (Of course, the community resources and cooling centers, etc. are also important.) I so wish that all libraries could find a way to safely provide at least curbside pick-up even if on a somewhat limited basis. It seems to be working well in our area and I've not heard of any library staff becoming infected but I realize it may be a much bigger issue in large cities with the volume of books and patrons there.
Kathryn, It's tough. It would be easier if their e-books were more available to get quickly.They're doing a lot of programs online including story times, lectures, and much more, but I haven't been participating in anything. They have events/activities for all ages and many interests, but it's the books I want. I do appreciate Kanopy and Hoopla as there are a lot of streaming movies available. I could watch up to 15 and 20 per month, though I usually watch only a couple. It's helpful to have those options. It's books I most want though.
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There is no way to prove where people got the virus, in most cases, and I'm not seeing any lawsuits. I think my library is just trying to do the right thing. Per state law now they would not be allowed to open to patrons, though curbside pick up and drop off is probably legal. I don't blame them for not wanting to expose their employees though, and when the library does reopen they're talking about having a 5 day lag time between the time books, DVDs, CDs, etc. are returned until they're available to check out again.
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We do often tend to forget that library staff would likely be front line with possible virus exposure. And their health and well-being really does need to come first, in my opinion.
Manybooks wrote: "We do often tend to forget that library staff would likely be front line with possible virus exposure. And their health and well-being really does need to come first, in my opinion.."Agreed! I feel that way about all front line workers. That's why I'm for keeping things closed and for each individual doing all they can to remain virus free. Masks, physical distancing, etc. Doctors and nurses are dying as they get the virus from patients that the treat. The fewer patients the safer they are.
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It is disgusting and selfish how many are still not willing to put on a mask, and usually not because of real medical issues but simply because putting on a mask makes them uncomfortable and feeling restrained and of course that counts more than being a good and conscientious global citizen (and this kind of arrogance also makes life much more difficult for those people who do have medical reasons why they cannot wear masks).
Manybooks wrote: "It is disgusting and selfish how many are still not willing to put on a mask, and usually not because of real medical issues but simply because putting on a mask makes them uncomfortable and feeling restrained and of course that counts more than being a good and conscientious global citizen (and this kind of arrogance also makes life much more difficult for those people who do have medical reasons why they cannot wear masks).."I am scared and angry about this, especially since most of the neighbors in my building don’t wear masks or try to physically distance, and I’m afraid they’re going to kill me.
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We have been seriously considering taking pictures and posting them online, but that would probably backfire, but yes, we are angry as well.
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Today, we have MUCH better sanitation than the people of the Middle Ages, and we have MUCH more knowledge of anatomy, medicine, and medical care, especially in first world countries.
So, by all means--take all the precautions you can; wear masks, use hand sanitizers, keep your distance from people you don't know; stay inside as much as possible--and I hope that you will remain virus-free and will not get sick. And, I am sorry your neighbors are being so inconsiderate of you and your concerns. All you can do is try to keep your distance from them as much as possible.
Beverly, Actually our population is 10 times that and so the death/infection rate is lower, but all the experts say this could get much, much, much worse if we don't keep mostly shut down, take precautions, etc. There can be a geometric type explosion with this kind of virus, and they're finding that people who've had it, if they even develop antibodies, those antibodies are greatly diminished/gone after just a few months.That means people can get it again, and in at least one case I read the second infection had much more severe symptoms than the first. That is alarming. This is a novel virus which means nobody has immunity to it, and we still are learning a lot about it. What is being learned is not reassuring. Thanks though for your well wishes. I am in several high risk categories so I am doing what I can to stay virus free, not just for myself, but for the medical personnel who'd have to try to help me if I get sick. Then I put them at risk, and possibly other patients needing medical help with not enough to go around. This is a huge mess in so many ways, particularly in the U.S.
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I am praying that the experts are wrong and that it will not get much, much worse, although I will continue to take all necessary precautions. However, I refuse to live in fear; and I do not want our economy and libraries, parks, etc. to be shut down forever.
I am one of those crazy people who believes that God is in control and I continue to pray that He will turn things around
Beverly, What about the old saying: God helps those who help themselves? We've had many horrible pandemics over the centuries. During many of them people didn't know where/why they were decimating populations or the proper things to do. We do now know and I see no reason why humans should not do what we can to care for ourselves and our fellow humans by trying to reduce virus risk. Not doing ALL we can is an affront to all humans. (It's mostly humans who get this virus. When members of the cat family get it they don't get very sick. We got it from wild animals, most likely, and most pandemics have come from farmed or wild animals, and I don't know how they fare, but all God's creatures and all of that.)
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On the other hand, the saying "God helps those who help themselves," is found nowhere in the Bible. It has been variously attributed to the ancient Greeks, to Benjamin Franklin (1757), and to Algernon Sydney (1698). God is willing to help us when we call on Him for help. But He also expects us not to sit back and do nothing, but to get up and get active and do our part, whatever our part happens to be.
message 140:
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Cheryl, Host of Miscellaneous and Newbery Clubs
(last edited Jun 17, 2021 11:57AM)
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Pella, Iowa, has a seed library and also Cricut cartridges and other 'maker' equipment.
Rolla, Missouri, has introductory fishing equipment (well, I haven't seen it lately, but it is in the catalog still...).
It really does pay to ask your librarians what they have besides books and movies!
And if you're a librarian, see if you can get creative about your offerings.
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Yes, absolutely! Our local branch has "Kid Packs" around certain themes. Usually they contain several books and some accompanying activities. We got one about gardening that had an actual little garden tote with kid-sized garden tools, a sunflower puzzle, and flower stencils. Currently, we have one that is for nature explorers and includes field guides, binoculars, and compass. We have also checked out things like magnetic darts, cornhole, and even a kid's magic kit! The library in the next town over has craft supplies like rubber stamps and paper punches, and even fancy cake tins (though I've never checked that out). I've even seen wellness gear like sun lamps for SAD!
Cheryl and Kathryn, I LOVE libraries. Mine is giving out packets of free books to kids, based on grade level, all summer long. Adults can come and just say how many kids and what grade they're going into and they get a bunch of free books. They're quality books too, I've heard. I don't think my library has all these other cool things to borrow but I know neighboring libraries have more than books, videos, and music. We do have a tool library in a city across the bay.
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Mine is giving out packets of free books to kids, based on grade level, all summer long. Adults can come and just say how many kids and what grade they're go..."
I used to really love libraries and to browse through stacks of potentially interesting books. But today’s libraries and often even college and university libraries are generally so much more inherently noisy, with kids screaming, students loudly studying, listening to music, playing online games etc. and with me also supposedly not even allowed to ask overly noisy individuals to quiet down a bit that I hardly ever use libraries for browsing anymore but get in and out as quickly as possible.
Manybooks wrote: "noisy, with kids screaming, students loudly studying, listening to music, playing online games etc. and with me also supposedly not even allowed to ask overly noisy individuals to quiet down a bit that I hardly ever use libraries for browsing anymore but get in and out as quickly as possible"Well I don't spend much time IN libraries. I go to return books and pick up books I've reserved online. I miss quiet libraries when we were told to be quiet if we spoke above a whisper or even much at all. My library does have separate rooms/floors for children and for teens, but the adult areas can be noisy.
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Indeed, and with our library, the kids section is open and the kids often also play and make noise in the general section, and while in the past, librarians were allowed to and even expected to tell noisy patrons to be quiet, that is generally no longer the case (and even sighing and plugging your ears will often get you dirty looks or a nasty comment).
I hate to say that we don't use ours often at all, if any due to the following factors: The distance, parking situation, and new fees due to the county's financial support was wrestled away by the city. The city also took control of the one that was on this side of the river, so the same fees apply. It discourages those who have income disparities, so we do not support that. Our small personally owned library in our small town, charges even more for a yearly or every 6mos membership. It's much easier for us personally to read freely from online sources or shop flea markets, yard sales and thrift stores when out and about.
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Having fees for public library use is such a great way to encourage literacy, NOT!
Oh, gosh. My library is free for everything. The only charges are if items are lost/not returned. I'm not in the library often enough to think of asking for quiet. The main branch has sound proofed music listening rooms and I suppose people could go in there and enjoy just quiet but the chairs aren't particularly comfortable and I don't think there are tables. That branch also has many rooms and I'll bet it's possible to find one and be alone or nearly alone. It's not the most convenient location for me though.
Because of the pandemic my usual branch is still entirely closed for other uses and the branch I've been using (my childhood branch) is open only for returning items to slots outside and picking up books outside. A few branches are open for a limited number of patrons to be inside for limited amounts of time. I'm assuming this will change soon because as of 6/15 the state and the city are completely open for most things. Masks are required in only a few situations/types of sites. I'm fine with staying outdoors as I rarely browse anyway. I've found a few books by just seeing them but most I've reserved ahead of time.
Manybooks wrote: "Having fees for public library use is such a great way to encourage literacy, NOT! "I agree. I think it's horrible. There are communities with no public libraries at all and that's even worse.
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Children's Books
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Sorry if this might sound problematic, but the kind of snooping that Homeland Security seems to be doing is kind of reminding me how the STASI used to work in Communist East Germany.