What do you think of libraries?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow there are lots of events at your Brisbane library Kathryn. That's great. I go to our library bookclub once a month, where some like-minded women (no men yet!) get together to discuss the months book. I thoroughly enjoy that. We have had author events at our library (we are a very small library, one of a number in our council area), and a group of us went to the Sydney Writers' Festival last year, and we are going to the very first Newcastle Writers' Festival next weekend. I know they have a babies/toddlers event every week there, reading with the parents and child. And there are a number of other 'happenings' on all the time. It's good for the community.

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Wow there are lots of events at your Brisbane library Kathryn. That's great. I go to our library bookclub once a month, where some like-minded women (no men yet!) get together to discuss the months..."

Well, the Brisbane City Council library is a group of libraries - so some of those events are on at different libraries within that group. I live about 15 - 20 min away from about 3 or 4 so I have a few to pick from! And if I really like the sound of something that's only on at a library a little further away, I would consider going to that as well. Same with the libraries in the council where I live (Moreton Rivers) - there are about 5 branch libraries within a 20 minute drive from me - so I really am very fortunate! It might be a different matter once I get a job - depending on where that might be - probably somewhere rural...!

I've never been to the Brisbane Writers' Festival before, but it's on in September, so if I'm still around (or back for a visit) I'd like to go and check that out.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The Sydney Writers' Festival was my first ever, and I really enjoyed it Kathryn. So if you're able, I'm sure you'd enjoy it as well:)

[Dean]

I love libraries. Not profound...but had to say it. So many good memories. And....it's free.

[Kathryn]

I agree Dean - when I lived in London for a bit and was without a job during Jan and Feb (& therefore had no income), I would often go and spend my day in a library - it got me out of my rather depressing sharehouse, it was free and it was warm!! Galleries and museums worked similarly but involved more wandering around...

[Judy]

Since I am a librarian, it would probably be wrong of me not to say I love libraries! But seriously, I can't imagine having to buy all the books I read, and the DVDs I watch. And being able to use libraries while travelling, for the free wifi and for the chance to sit and read a newspaper, is just wonderful.

[Michelle]

I really wish my local library was a bit better as far as having organised activities, book clubs, etc. It's actually really boring which is disappointing because I would probably live there if they did a bit more.
They do have a couple of great activites on during the week for babies and little kids but as far as things for adults it's very poor. I can't even find a bookclub to join in my local area and I live on the Central Coast of NSW so I'm not even out in the middle of nowhere!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Really Michelle? That's a shame. I'd invite you to ours, but Edgeworth would be a little far to travel...

[Kathryn]

That's a shame, Michelle - do they have a suggestion box? Or could you talk to one of the librarians? There may have been other people bemoaning a lack of adult activities. If all else failed, maybe you could start something yourself... Some activites might be a bit hard to initiate yourself, but starting a bookclub might be relatively easy (although still a bit daunting!) - you might be able to get some help from a librarian for that (or Google!).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm sure, like Kathryn said, you could help organise one, by chatting to the librarian. Our librarian was discussing it with a few of the regulars, and we decided it was a great idea, and we now have a day time bookclub, and a night time one (for workers) I'm in the night time one, which runs from 5.30-7pm on the only night the library is open until 7. See what the librarian thinks:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maybe they could have one for each branch? I'm sure there would be enough interested patrons. There are only about 10 (maximum) in our group...sometimes there are only 6 or 7 who come (for one reason or another) and it's a nice cosy group for chatting about our monthly book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well I hope you can get some satisfaction from your Erina library Ashleigh. I thoroughly enjoy my bookclub, and up until I joined this one (about 2 years ago now) I hadn't been to one. It's just such a lot of fun, chatting with like minded people about books:) Let us know how you go, whether they are amenable to your suggestion:)

No worries about the errors;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck Ashleigh:)

[Michelle]

Ashleigh wrote: "I am on the NSW Central Coast too. I have never noticed our local library having book clubs at any of its branches, like Michelle, and never seen a suggestion box. I think they run kids book relate..."

Hi Ashleigh,
Whereabouts are you on the Central Coast? I am at Berkeley Vale so usually go to Tuggerah library but have been thinking of looking into what's on at Erina because of Tuggerah not having much on as I said before. They have heaps of kids activities but I guess no-one has bothered to try and implement anything for the adults.
I'd definitely be interested in a bookclub or some sort. Maybe we could try and start one? (I have no idea how but I'm sure it can't be too hard :-))

[Michelle]

Ashleigh wrote: "I am in Terrigal, so the Erina branch is easier for me."

I just found that the Gosford libraries have a lot of book clubs but they are all during the day which doens't really suit people like me who work and take care of a small child. Apparently Tuggerah library will help set up a bookclub by giving up to 10 copies of the book you choose to reserve (subject to avaliability) and discussion sheets, etc. i just wish I could get the numbers up to start one!

[Kathryn]

Ashleigh wrote: "I am on the NSW Central Coast too. I have never noticed our local library having book clubs at any of its branches, like Michelle, and never seen a suggestion box. I think they run kids book relate..."

Maybe you need to suggest that they have a suggestion box, Ashleigh and Michelle!! And if you need ideas of what kind of events libraries may be able to run, this is the website for the Brisbane City Council library events: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-...

Michelle wrote: "I'd definitely be interested in a bookclub or some sort. Maybe we could try and start one? (I have no idea how but I'm sure it can't be too hard :-)) "

Good luck to the two of you if you decide to start a book club!! I'm sure your library should have some ideas on how to start, but in case you're on your own, I just googled "How to start a book club" and a myriad of pages came up - including:
http://www.litlovers.com/start-a-book...
http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/H...
http://bestsellers.about.com/od/bookc...
http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Book-G...

So it looks like there's plenty of help available online, at least!!

Maybe you two can be the drivers of change to revitalise the library with adult events!

[Sharon]

I love libraries, love the smell, and love that there are so many books that have passed through other hands. I love browsing, trying to pick one out of the thousands - trying to discover that elusive book I've never heard of that makes me turn page after page and when I'm finished I know I discovered a gem, that somehow made me pick it out of thousands of others.

[Michelle]

Kathryn wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "I am on the NSW Central Coast too. I have never noticed our local library having book clubs at any of its branches, like Michelle, and never seen a suggestion box. I think they run..."

Hi Kathryn, thanks for that :-) I actually found the litlovers site today while doing a bit of searching but didn't find the others. I'm definitely going to keep trying to get something up and running!

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

Our libraries:

Stuffy place, little space to sit. Forget air-conditioning. A way too old, obsolete computer, used only availability of books. Mostly, the data is not up-to-date. Books can be found in places other than listed too. Sometimes the book is there but the PC data shows unavailable. Or vice-versa. No computerized access to anything. If you borrow/give back a book, entries are made in a paper book, you are handed paper-chits. Rarely good collections. Don't even think of a café. Hardly any readers. Even fewer serious readers. Have never even thought that there could be mobile vans delivering books.

[Cathy]

Lit Bug wrote: "Our libraries:

Stuffy place, little space to sit. Forget air-conditioning. A way too old, obsolete computer, used only availability of books. Mostly, the data is not up-to-date. Books can be found..."

Oh that's too sad - there are so many lovely libraries around that are welcoming spaces with excellent resources...

[Kathryn]

I agree - I think it would be terribly sad to not be able to borrow physical books from the library and hope that it will never come to that, or at least not in my lifetime. And after my lifetime, ebooks might be so commonplace that future generations may not miss real books...

[Dale]

I'd be distraught without a library as I'm not into the whole E book thing for reading.

[Sharon]

I agree totally with you Dale. I really enjoy going to the library. I find the staff really friendly and helpful. I save so much money as well. And I love requesting new books and being the first to read it.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Well I think libraries are fantastic. Not that I'm biased or anything.

Our library system has only brought eBooks in in the past couple of months, and the amount of people who are saying that they're not interested and prefer physical books has reignited my faith in the human race.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I would also be lost without my library. They do a wonderful service for the community, and it would be a tragedy to lose that!

[Mark]

I think the extremist right-wing elements that currently exert a stranglehold over the Congress of my country (correctly) perceive that if Americans (in general) were capable of reading, they'd be less inclined enthusiastically to root (and vote) for their own economic evisceration. My expectation would be that libraries would be the very last thing they'd like to continue to see funded. (They are, after all, uniquely hostile to funding education of any kind, and also, just incidentally, healthcare and support for human life.) Not a problem for you in Australia, I realize, but this is Fahrenheit 451 territory, and I personally think that public libraries are targeted for extinction.

[Kelly]

Michelle wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "I am on the NSW Central Coast too. I have never noticed our local library having book clubs at any of its branches, like Michelle, and never seen a suggestion box. I think they run..."

I live on the Central coast as well. I live in Umina. You can always make posters to put in the libraries once there are a few people. Then more people may join.

[Michael]

My library is currently getting a makeover so it's out of action for a week. Lucky I have plenty to read

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Our libraries are currently in the throes of upgrading to RFID. I hate it, and thus I feel like a bit of an old fart.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I will show my ignorance Liam....what is RFID?

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Radio-Frequency IDentification. Basically we stick a tag in the back of the book, and you swipe it across a pad to check it out yourself. Everything is going self-service. :C

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Oh no!! What about the knowledge of the librarians to recommend a title they know you would like, just through knowing what you normally take out? My librarian is like that...she often gives me a book, and say "You will like this one" and more often than not, she is right!

[Michael]

Radio-frequency identification

I scanned a document that basically said;

Advantages;
- Easier and faster scanning of data
- Simplified self checkout
- 100% read detection rate
- 50% to 75% drop in false alarms at exit sensor
- High speed inventory
- Automated return and sorting
- long lifespan on barcodes

Disadvantages
- Higher cost for barcodes
- compromised RF security
- removal of tag circumvents RFID system
- Exit sensor fields range not 100% effective
- No international standards

probably too much information but there you go

[Michael]

Brenda wrote: "Oh no!! What about the knowledge of the librarians to recommend a title they know you would like, just through knowing what you normally take out? My librarian is like that...she often gives me a b..."

Librarians are planning to return to offering help and recommending books, this is suppose to free them up to do that, but I think it means less librarians to save money.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Currently same amount of librarians, just all occupied tagging/checking stuff in. The couple of branches we have that are already self-serve RFID get inundated with complaints about the lack of staff presense, unfortunately.

We've been assured our jobs aren't at risk but I can't see how they can't be.

[Kathryn]

Both my local council libraries have self-checkout in all of their branches. It's not the end of the world, but I can't see that it is more advantageous to me as a library user than having a real person check my books out. Especially when I'm in a branch with only 2 self-checkout machines and one is taken up with a 5 year old "helping" check out his 20 books and the other is being used by a 92 year old to check out her 4 books. And then I never know whether to offer to help the 92 year old or whether she (or he) would be offended... I could certainly do it more quickly...

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

I know the feeling. I've found the oldies get very defensive, because they're so proud of themselves for having mastered the new technology, which is awesome.. but yeah they can take a while sometimes.

At one of our branches that has staff machines nearby as well as the self-checkout, if there's a line I just grab the next person and do them with the wand. I prefer it anyway, being able to actually chat with the people is better than just smiling and nodding as they come in, which is all we're told to do nowadays.

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

I think that even all this is any way better than Indian libraries. The librarians have no interest whatsoever in you or your books, he/she is simply there to give and take back books and slap fines if you get late. They are mostly grouchy faces and I can never even imagine a librarian keeping a mental note of my preferences or recommending stuff to me. The kind of libraries that seem so common to you all and which you are used to are an unimaginable luxury in India.

[Kathryn]

Lit Bug, that is such a shame, but thank you for pointing out just how fortunate we are here in Australia. I've been to quite a few different Australian and British libraries and while some have a better atmosphere than others and some (especially now) lack much human interaction, in general I think our libraries have wonderful resources and are wonderful spaces to read and learn and borrow. Here's hoping that, in years to come, Indian libraries will develop into spaces that people want to go and spend time in.

And yes, Liam - I have had a staff member ask me over to check my books out when the self-serve machines are busy, but the librarians are often helping other people, so I wait. Or go back into the stacks to find more books while I'm waiting :-)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

That's a shame Bug, one of my favourite things at work is when I recommend something to a customer and the next time I'm at that branch and they come in and thank me for it. I'm a sucker for them warm fuzzies.

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

I wish we had both - infrastructure and people like you Aussies. Reading is not a respectable passion here, if you exclude the elite who read in order to impress, and the small dedicated community of serious readers. Libraries are stuffy places, ill-managed, outdated computers and inefficient as well as careless staff.

Libraries usually are to be found only in universities and some schools. A general public library is rare, and usually poorly stocked as well as poorly managed. You can end up spending 3 hours in a library and storm out feeling frustrated.

You look forward to recommending stuff to people. Librarians here are usually irritated when you approach them and see you as an unwelcome distraction. Some of them will like you only if you show loyalty towards classics and refuse to pick up new titles. But mostly, they are disinterested, and will simply throw back your book at you while issuing it to you or grab the book from you while you give it back and won't even make eye contact with you.

Not every library is like this, but I find it is a very rare occurrence to come across what you folks so easily talk about as a common feature, in terms of book availability, infrastructure and the human aspect.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

That really is a bugger. I guess it helps that Australians are a fairly friendly nationality at the worst of times.

[Kim BookGirl]

When I was a kid there was a whole floor in the library building dedicated to children's literature. Such a shame it got reduced to one section of a single floor at the library. Still they have a good selection of books and the staff are friendly. They have self-checkout now too which is ok I guess - the way of the world it seems.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Related to what I mentioned a week or two ago, this was today's crop of discards. 90% of these tipped straight into the bin. Sigh.

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

Why into the bin???

[Mish]

Liam wrote: "

Related to what I mentioned a week or two ago, this was today's crop of discards. 90% of these tipped straight into the bin. Sigh."

Oh Liam that is terrible :(

I couldn't watch them doing that.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Lit Bug wrote: "Why into the bin???"

Tipped into the bin because we're overstocked on used stuff for our booksale, and they are unwilling to give them to any second-hand stores/charities with all the Library branding in them.

[Lit Bug (Foram)]

Awww - that's bad. I don't know what to say.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It's tragic they don't think they can donate them to less fortunate people:(

[Jodie]

I work in a library and we give the books we can't use to charity or sell them as a fundraiser we also use them for book crossing so people can share them. We don't charge for anything other than printing services and provide all kinds of classes and activities. We have lots of book clubs and also provide free e books and e audiobooks. We even have a cafe.