(some) Libraries are open!

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Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
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#1
Just wanted to share the good news.

:)

I went in on Wedensday. I returned 30 books and borrowed three.
 

Billyd

Senior Member
May 8, 2014
5,034
1,473
113
#2
Our library remained open for online service. They maintain a large selection of online books, music, and videos for check out.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#3
physically open I mean so you can see the librarians and read the REAL books lol

the online libraries operate 24/7 and have never closed unless your internet connection is severed. But its the librarians who actually set it all up so you can use it for free. They were working all that time.

Yay librarians...!
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#4
I guess people didnt understand what an OPAC is. We had that years before and few people used it, and now that many people have smartphones and devices it has taken off like a rocket. we had touch screen self checkouts for books a full decade before they appeared in retail shops.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#5
I think people get more literate and wise reading books than biased news articles which are mostly just peoples opinions and rants on whats currently happening.

yesterdays news is tomorrows fish and chip paper....or if its digital it will be forever archived in a time machine.
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
#6
I would like my library to be open. :(
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#7
Ive extended borrowing times.. for my school library and children can take out more books.
At the public library they have upped the limit to 50 books.

It was a shame that lockdown happened so suddenly that many people were without books as they didnt know. But like the virgins with the oil lamps, those that were wise got their books before it shut.
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
#8
Ive extended borrowing times.. for my school library and children can take out more books.
At the public library they have upped the limit to 50 books.

It was a shame that lockdown happened so suddenly that many people were without books as they didnt know. But like the virgins with the oil lamps, those that were wise got their books before it shut.
Agree... well so many books are available electronic format... but there is just something fun about going to a Library .... the one where I live is really welcoming and a beautiful building.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
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69
Tennessee
#9
Just wanted to share the good news.

:)

I went in on Wednesday. I returned 30 books and borrowed three.
Hopefully, you did not have any overdue ones. You must be a prolific reader. I was averaging a book a week for years but then I got mentally lazy and stopped reading. Still, I would say that reading is one of life's simple pleasures. That was indeed a very good report that you provided.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
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69
Tennessee
#10
I think people get more literate and wise reading books than biased news articles which are mostly just peoples opinions and rants on what's currently happening.

yesterdays news is tomorrows fish and chip paper....or if its digital it will be forever archived in a time machine.
Love fish n chips. I use a little malt vinegar and lemon. I agree with your yesterday's news estimate. Ancient history as far as I'm concerned. I agree also with your literacy assesment.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
16,252
113
69
Tennessee
#11
I guess people didn't understand what an OPAC is. We had that years before and few people used it, and now that many people have smartphones and devices it has taken off like a rocket. we had touch screen self checkouts for books a full decade before they appeared in retail shops.
OPAC? Yeah, those are the countries that gouge other countries by collusion on setting oil prices. No, that's not right. OK, OPEC. My bad. Now, what is OPAC again? Did a googly and learned that it's an Online Public Assess Catalog. Don't have a smart phone though, just a simple TracFone.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#12
haha yes

OPEC, OPAC, PACMAN, whats the diff?

Even more good news is that library budgets have been approved and I can buy new books.

My public library was phoning those over 70 as they do home delivery service, for those who are housebound. They were doing this before lockdown for years. If you are a member you can sign up and get books delivered to places like resthomes for free and the librarian comes to visit you once a month.

Membership is free if you are a resident in the area, but anyone can use the library even if you are a visitor, you are just not allowed to borrow. Even computers and wi-fi are free. the wi-fi was turned off during lockdown to stop people from congregating. (and to protect the librarians, who deal with the public everyday).

People who couldnt borrow books can subscribe for free to access e-books and also digital magazines and databases. Usually the library would buy copies in hardback over e-books though they have not solely gone for e-books. But they are the biggest provider and you dont need to pay if you are a member. The library pays for that infrastructure so you can have FREE access.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,095
6,479
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#13
My Library was open pretty much through all of this until I had dinner at Taco Bell, then I had to self isolate to the Den as the air in the Library wasn't very breathable........

ew...........png
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#14
only the main bigger libraries are opening first here.
I went in and borrowed a few more books and some dvds.
If a library has plants inside, it can make the air breathable, as they absorb carbon dioxide and other gases and give out oxygen.

But I am sure you might already know this.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#15
oh wow even MORE good news
our govt in NZ has announced more money for libraries!!!! we have never had that before since the days of Andrew Carnegie giving away his fortune to build public libraries all over the world. school libraries are also included!

Librarians can keep their jobs and stimulate more as we recover! many unemployed people use libraries as their training grounds, to upskil, write CVs and find out their next direction in life.

we dont have to beg anymore!! I am over the moon.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#16
My local library is now open. Im still closed at lunchtimes though as Im the only librarian there and I need to eat too. I think I would only reopen if the school employed another librarian or a helper at lunchtime. Plus it can get very overcrowded and noisy in my small library when all the children want to come in.

I do wish people would understand that support staff/essential workers also need to have breaks. Am thankful we did shutdown though because what a nightmare if the virus was spreading through the library.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
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#17
hmm well might be right about the air outside some libraries were smokers like to still smoke even though theres huge signs saying 'smokefree' which people then take they are free to smoke there.

The sign should say BUTT out or DONT SMOKE HERE WE CANT BREATHE. or how about smokers, wear a mask and stop polluting the air. It gets in through the air vents.

I let the local govt know about it though but what can you do apart from lobbying Big Tobacco? Its impossible to reason with drug dealers who are most often small business owners of the local dairy who claim they need to make a living selling cigarettes. Its like saying to gun shop owners um dont you think you are contributing to a big problem?

oh no...nothing to do with them at all.
 
Apr 15, 2017
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#18
I like to read but not as much as I used to read unless it is the Bible or online reading, but not books so much.

I used to like to read in grade school, and would read a lot, and could read through a book fast.

And it amazed me how good I could read, and that I did not have trouble with words.

When I was in first grade the fifth grade teacher would pull me out of class and set me on her lap and I would read to her class.

But I was on the funny side when I was younger and would change the words to make another story that was funny or funnier and I think the teacher liked that, but I cannot remember if I read it the way it was written for I joked around so much when reading, although I knew how to read at that level.

It would not seem like she would of wanted me to read to her class for the sake of reading only if I did not like to make people laugh.

But of course being funny has it's drawbacks being hit with a ruler for disrupting class, but that is the price you pay for fame, lol.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#19
the magic of reading...
children like funny stories. If its boring they might fall asleep, so dont make it boring. Although I dont think theres anything wrong with sleeping...we all need sleep.
I prefer to read in bed though, its relaxing for me.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#20
Librarians have joined the resistance...is the latest in the library world. for decades librarians had been fighting online threats such as porn and misinformation and fake news.

But we also diversify our collections to represent all peoples views and books on all topics. as Christians youve got to make sure your library has a permanent reference copy of the Bible at least and copies available to borrow in all languages. If they are missing ask why.

if theres no books representing your families histories and the truth about events then also ask why..and suggest to purchase. We are all in this together.
There are soooo many athiest books being published and sometimes libraries buy them, but we also buy christian books. If they are not readily avilable to borrow..and only in churches.....you are doing the public a misservice. so think about that as a way to reach out....that book they borrow could change someones life.