Suggested by Barbara:
I saw that National Library week is coming up in April, and that led to some questions. How often do you use your public library and how do you use it? Has the coffeehouse/bookstore replaced the library? Did you go to the library as a child? Do you have any particular memories of the library? Do you like sleek, modern, active libraries or the older, darker, quiet, cozy libraries?
I love visiting the public libraries. Unfortunately, I have not been visiting any for a few years, due to time constraint and the fact that I would rather read at my own pace than paying fines for late books. In my case, the bookstores have definitely replaced the library. I love keeping the books I read, thus borrowing books from the libraries is not the best option although it is always good to return the books if I do not really enjoy them, ha.
I do visit the library when I was a child, and that is during my primary school days. As if the school library is not enough, I visited the public libraries too as it goes without saying that the latter offers a wider selection of books. The public library which I used to patron frequently had been refurbished in 2004 and re-opened as a regional library. I cannot comment on the refurbished library since I have never been to it before, but I quite like the ambience of the old library, especially on a weekday after work and I wouldn't have to worry about the library being over crowded or getting a place to sit and read my books. There were two stories in the library and the first floor is occupied by the children/young adults section. And there was a staircase at a corner which lead to the second floor where the adults and research sections are. In its center there was a huge space where sofa are situated for the readers to read their books. There were several more chairs located at some corners but none of them are as comfy as the sofa. I can find myself sitting there and read my books for hours. Ah... those days!
I suppose I have no preference when it comes to libraries. No matter if they are sleek or modern, or old or cosy, as long as they have a wide range of selections and with comfy chairs, it is a good library in my opinion.
What about you? I would love to hear them from you.
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Hi Melody, I used to be put off the library as I would always be late taking them back but now it is only at the top of the road it's a bit easier! Plus my new library lets you renew via the internet, this has saved me from a new fine, several times! Have a lovely day!
Another reason why I love my library, you can re-borrow a book on their site up to 5 times. Takes the pressure away.
Lovely post, and the question indeed puts a smile on your face
Me too! I prefer owning my books than just borrowing it. SO I buy mostly my books at the bookstore too. I agree with mostly what you have said here :)
Happy BTTs, I wish you have a good Thursday!
Dot - Hi, Dot! How nice to have a library situated near to your place! I know I'd visit often if there's a library nearby, LOL. You too have a lovely day! :)
Blodeuedd - Our libraries do offer renewal services too, but I find it a hassle to visit the library just for the renewal. I'm not sure if they've an online service for this though, after all I haven't visit one for a long time! ;)
Julia - I love my books! I like keeping them; they're like my babies, LOL. Happy BTT and I hope you've a great Thursday too! :)
I am okay with any kind of library too if they have a good collection. As I visit a library which has a pitiful collection, I can quite ignore the other things if they have enough books.
Violet - Indeed! I don't mind any library as long as it has a wide selection of books, and to me that's the most important thing. :)
I like visiting old libraries. But borrowing books is now kind of difficult as there is no library near my place. I prefer buying books.
sweat trickles down my back
I mainly buy books, but I do use the library for DVDs and audio books. Sometimes hardcovers, if I can't wait for a paperback to come out (I don't want to spend the money on a hardcover).
I agree a library must have comfy chairs to set in. =)
Well, yes, it's the contents of the library that matter most! But I love an old library.
I love a nice comfy library as well!
http://barneysbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/booking-through-thursday-42.html
I share the same answer with you, Melody, even though I did not participate in this week's BTT. :D
I enjoyed reading your post. I always thought a library was a peaceful place to be too. I also like buying my books. I treasure them afterI read them and would never want to part with them. Happy BTT!
ooohhh - I wish my library had a comfy reading section. They have chairs in the magazine area, but they still aren't real comfy. Hopefully they will do something like this when they move into their new building.
I use to use the library as my mommy-time-out on Saturdays when DH would watch the boys and I would go out a few hours. I would head there and read until it was time to go home. It was heaven.
I find it very difficult to find somewhere to sit down and read these days. Most of the space are now dominated by computers. Bit of a shame really.
I love libraries! I've never read in one, though.
I agree the most important feature of a library is its selection.
I love going to libraries but I was pretty spoiled with my old library before our move last year. I am finding I'm going to the bookstore more often now. I will go to the library to pick up holds but I don't usually browse too much anymore.
I agree with you, it's nice to be able to return the books that you don't like back to the library. :) But for me, when I find a book that I love at the library, then I go and buy it so I can have it to read again, or lend to someone else. :)
I was such a magnet to libraries when I was young. I still remembered that sensation of getting my library card---that felt so privileged and special!
I love going there to read my own books these days!
I loved libraries as a child and many times returned the wrong books to the school library and local library!
I usually pay the late fines not because I'm a slow reader because I want to keep the book with me for a longer time hehe. If I like the book, I usually buy my own copy :) Here is my answer. Cheers!
Gautami - I'd love to have a library near my place too!
Yvonne - I agree HCs can be expensive! I'll usually wait for the paperbacks to release, unless I don't have the patience to wait! LOL.
Kathy - Yes, comfy chairs is a must if I am to read in the library, hehe.
Beth - Old libraries are great. I love their architecture, so classic!
Jess - Comfy and cosy, especially on a rainy day. ;)
Alice - Yeah, great minds think alike! :D
Charli - Thank you! The problem with buying books is I need space to store them! LOL.
Crystal - I figure I need to do that too: mommy-time-out to the libraries! ;)
Mae - I agree that some libraries occupy some reading space for computers. And it'd be sad if they don't provide enough chairs for reading pleasure. I feel there should be a fair balance between these two.
Sally - I love reading in the library, but of course I can't read there for the whole day, haha.
Barbara - Having a wide selections beats the rest IMO.
Iliana - I love browsing at the bookstores. I guess I need to find some time to browse at the libraries too. ;P
Jessica - When new-to-me authors are concerned, I'll rely on my bookbloggers friends for recommendations. That way, I won't go wrong even though if I don't visit the libraries. :)
Matt - Oh, library cards! I still have my old one that is no longer in use! It's another keeper for me! ;)
Nise' - I don't think I've that problem, thanks to the labels! ;)
Kat - If I like the library books very much, I'd go to the bookstore and buy it, although I can understand your reason for paying the fine, hehe. It's so hard to part away with the books we like, isn't it?
The library was my second home when I was a child, but, like you, you are more likely to find me in a bookstore these days. And for many of the same reasons you list. I think the library is a wonderful resource though and perhaps someday I will change my mind and find my way back there.
Wendy - I agree library is a wonderful resource. I'm hoping to visit again, but this time around I'll have to bring my daughter along. ;)
The little town where I grew up didn't (still doesn't, for that matter) have a library, but oh my, how we lived for visits from the Book Mobile!!!
These days we hit the library nearly every week, but I'm trying to cut down on the amount of books I bring home as it's seriously cutting into the amount of my own books I'm getting read.
Libraries are simply wonderful. I'd be lost without mine. Although, I don't browse as much as I used to do. I reserve my books online and pick them up. I used to buy my books, but sadly the current budget does not allow for that. For this reason alone, I love my library. I can read everything I want and not kill my pocketbook!
gotta luv the library :) but I do prefer to buy my books and read at my own pace.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I agree with you. I prefer my library over my local bookstore any day especially since there isn't any seating in the latter :(
Hi Melody, hope your weekend has been good! I have an award that I would like to pass on to you, please visit my blog and have a look:
http://dot-scribbles.blogspot.com/2009/04/thank-you.html
Debi - I can't imagine my neighbourhood without a library. I know I'll be very, very sad! On the other hand, I'd love to have a Book Mobile here... as I don't think I've seen one yet.
Louise - No worries about not visiting/commenting, Louise! Your Master thesis comes first! Here's wishing you all the best! :)
Holly - I hear you, Holly! Libraries are great if we don't want to over spend our money on books, but still I can't resist buying books! :D
Naida - If it's not due to the time constraint, I'd visit the libraries again! ;)
Jen - I think it'd be good if the bookstores would provide more chairs, haha.
Dot - Thank you so much for the award, Dot! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! :)