Path: ...!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: legg <legg@nospam.magma.ca>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: OT: Public libraries
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:43:01 -0400
Organization: A noiseless patient Spider
Lines: 74
Message-ID: <tcsf0kl3vqs9bdl8pk7pdash2ts6um77p3@4ax.com>
References: <vu6nii$3arap$1@dont-email.me>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Injection-Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2025 22:39:26 +0200 (CEST)
Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="d40d2bffdf8fdf5dae05d7ddf71d309f";
	logging-data="1458495"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org";	posting-account="U2FsdGVkX1/qqykAgzhP3ZpPkeiSLdKe"
Cancel-Lock: sha1:v5mnFnK7hqIbeNdkuGX9tlU0iyU=
X-Newsreader: Forte Agent 4.2/32.1118
Bytes: 4313

On Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:23:41 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

>We've been discussing the long-term relevance of public
>libraries and the funding thereof.  It seems like this is
>something that will likely be fading from municipal budgets,
>largely from disuse and ease of other entities picking up
>any such use that is shed in their absence.
>
>E.g., I visit the local (branch) library, regularly -- but,
>mainly to rent DVDs.  Nothing on their shelves is really pertinent
>to my areas of research -- though they have often been called
>upon to acquire a copy of a technical article or reference
>from some other library (in some other state).  From the reaction
>I get when I make these requests, I suspect I am, by far, the
>exception, in this usage.
>
>The other main use I see is for "public computers".  I suspect
>that for people who can't afford an internet connection (or
>one of sufficient bandwidth for their needs?)  A sort of "PUBLIC
>Internet Cafe".
>
>Finally, "babysitting services", of a sort.  "Storytimes" for
>young children.  "Lego club" for kids and young adults.  Etc.
>
>I rarely see someone browsing the stacks.  Any print material
>that I see taken out is often from "reservations" placed on those
>materials, via their online portal.  I.e., this could just
>as easily be done with any other web-based provider (contracted
>by the city to ACT as a library?).
>
>[Note this is increasingly happening with video content as
>physical media are being replaced with streaming services.]
>
>Ebooks don't seem to have as broad an acceptance; likely because the
>licensing model is stupid:  how can you have *one* copy of an ebook?
>The author/publisher should, instead, charge PER USE.  200 patrons
>waiting for one copy of an ebook -- at 4 week renewal times -- is
>likely not going to result in more "sales".  Instead, 200 patrons
>ALL having access to 200 copies of the book WHILE IT IS IN DEMAND
>seems like a better business model (are you going to wait a YEAR
>to read an ebook?)
>
>So, my questions, for those of you who frequent your public
>library, what trends do you see and where do you see the
>resource "evolving"?  Bulldozed to make room for more parking
>for the other nearby businesses??

One of the benefits of library computers is access to the 
catalog. Most technical stuff or 2nd language content is in the 
stacks at a central branch or even in different cities.
This reduces 'shelf browsing' considerably, if you know what 
you're looking for, even for fiction or 'other' entertainment. 
Hence the 'reserved' service use. 

My neighborhood tends to be both migrant and immigrant - scrambling 
to save every cent - so library services and hardware may be 
the only ones available that don't require you to buy something, 
just to sit down. Also a quiet place for students and gig 'workers' 
to do their stuff, via wi-fi. 

Time-limited E-books, music and video files require extra hardware, 
but they're cataloged much the same. This is useful for families 
without extensive internet/cable entertainment data packages.

Being warm, dry and public, libray washrooms and seating will 
always be in demand by those with few alternatives.

Users feeling guilty about taking advantage of the services 
should also feel free to donate, when they can.

RL