[ansel12]

For people who haven’t been in a public library for years, the books have largely been sold off for 50 cents apiece, today they are primarily for using computers and checking out DVDs, and more community stuff.

[hoagy62]

I don’t know about that.

I go into libraries around here and there are PLENTY of books to be had. Yes, there are computers now, but the books are certainly not being sold off.

I suppose that if Obama wants kids to check out books from the library or read them on a Kindle or iPad, that’s okay.

The question is...do they know HOW to READ?

[Conan the Librarian]

I don’t know where you are from, but, as I go to the library at least 5 days a week, I know that we have quite a large collection in my building that circulates regularly. We do sell off old beat up books, most donations (as we usually have plenty of copies of those books already, $1.00 each, and the money goes to buy more books).

We do have a regular crowd of folks who come in and use the computers, 1/3 business folks, 1/3 students, 1/3 facebook (guess who are the rudest users).

We do community outreach to push the library, and, have to support state programs, mainly healthcare and foodstamps, by helping folks get to the websites (only).

In our system, the first card is free, after that is $2.00. 99% of our customers are pretty good about using, returning, and supporting the library. The rest we get rid of quick (we have a large banned list).

At least here in the Deep South the Library is a valuable community asset that is supported and protected by all.

Now if I can only get them to hurry up and tear down my building and build a new one before I retire. I have been working in this building off and on since 1979 when it opened. I know all the flaws and it’s time to go.

[LostInBayport]

For people who haven’t been in a public library for years, the books have largely been sold off for 50 cents apiece, today they are primarily for using computers and checking out DVDs, and more community stuff

I'm one of those who hasn't been in a public library for ages, but your post explained a couple of things for me. Once in a while I drive by a library in a little town. It seems they are always advertising a "book sale" with thousands of books for sale. I wondered what kind of budget they had to turn over that many books so quickly. Turns out they are just moving out of the book business!

It also explains the explosion of "ex-library" copies in the stock of online sellers in recent years (which means they are usually shabby copies). The internet has been a boon to book lovers like me; the world is your bookstore.