Thursday, April 2, 2009

Booking Through Thursday - Library Week


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 currently rarely use the library. In fact, I haven't used it in 3 years. Before that I was only using it for audio books. My reasoning is simple, I enjoy collecting the books I read. So I'm going to buy the books rather than borrow them (because I don't want to return them).


I see a lot of people using the coffee area's of local bookstores and think that's cool, but it's not my cup of tea (or should I say joe?). I don't drink coffee and while I know they probably sell other drinks, it's too expensive for me. I would rather browse the bookshelves and then plop down on the floor to flip through a book. I think these are popular but as Smiling Sal mentioned, with the economy I think more people will stop using these and head to the library. In fact, several libraries in my area have put a coffee shop inside. So..same thing but the books are free!


I used the library weekly when I was growing up. During the summer I would join the kids reading challenge and of course I always completed it (yet I have trouble completing reading challenges as an adult...hmmm....). I remember riding my bike to the library (and boy were there some hills!) during the summer and returning books and checking out the max that I could. The next week..I would do it again. My parents didn't buy us kids many books growing up, so the library is all I had.


I don't think I really have an opinion on the libraries, since I rarely use them now. I guess I like the looks of the modern ones and the cleanliness. However..the dark old ones do give you the feel of a good library.

10 comments:

Sherrie said...

Hi!
I am at our library a lot! 99% of my books come from there! Have a great day!!

Sherrie

Unknown said...

Sherrie - That's a great money saver! I'm sure the husband will try to convince me to do that one of these days. haha!

-.- said...

Reading challenges were so much easier as a kid. I finished them all the time too, now...not so much :p

~ Popin

Jess said...

They are considering putting a coffee cart in the library I work at to get more students to come in.

bermudaonion said...

I don't use the library much any more either.

Unknown said...

Jess - hopefully it will help. I don't drink coffee (and honestly just don't understand the draw to it) so it makes no difference to me, but lots of people do love their coffee.

Bermudaonion - glad I'm not alone! Sometimes it feels like I am.

Beth F said...

I've always used the library, but sometimes I'm there all the time and at other times rarely. I'm definitely on a library kick at the moment.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

I started using our library more when I realized we needed to cut out extras in our budget. Now, I'm much more discerning about the books I do buy, because I've usually read them first from the library. It has to be a remarkable book for me to get it now!

Literary Feline said...

My response to this week's BTT questions would closely mirror yours, Kris, had I answered it. I have fond memories of the library as a child, but I do not frequent the library nowadays. Like you, I tend to collect the books I read.

Unknown said...

Popin -I agree, reading challenges as a kid were easier, I guess life gets in the way now. haha.

Beth - I think libraries are great and am glad so many are able to use them, it's just not my thing.

Holly - I'm sure my husband would love it if I cut back on book buying. haha! I figure I get an allowance each month, I can spend it all on books if I want to. :)

Literary feline - glad to see I'm not the only one who collects!