As a lover of reading, and a regular user of the Tasmanian public library system, I have been fascinated by this post “Do Pakistanis Read? (and the missing libraries of Pakistan)” on the excellent All Things Pakistan website.
It got me thinking, what is the state of public libraries in other countries? I really don’t know. Similarly, I am not really aware of the varieties of cultural attitudes to reading. So I decided to ask anyone visiting this blog to let me know, do you personally use libraries? Do you think that there is an easily defined attitude towards reading in your particular country? I would love to know.
It got me thinking, what is the state of public libraries in other countries? I really don’t know. Similarly, I am not really aware of the varieties of cultural attitudes to reading. So I decided to ask anyone visiting this blog to let me know, do you personally use libraries? Do you think that there is an easily defined attitude towards reading in your particular country? I would love to know.
Comments
public libraries are the borderless least discriminating pulic places in the world
Also, congratulations on the impending arrival of #2! Such an exciting time for your growing family.
For me there is another aspect - internet will never gain full trust - wiki is a good example of fake or imprecise factology:)
Nowadays I rarely use the library locally (partially because I have a large personal library) but the majority of libraries in the UK now offer free internet access (sometimes limited) and I take advantage of this when on holiday.
But I've only started using them in the last 5 years.
They've got ALL THIS STUFF and it's FREE!
I think they are the most fantastic resource and can't believe I never really valued them.
I've got three books on the go from the library at the moment - 2 useless ones and Peter Carey's Ned Kelly one.
I used to buy all my books but then I ran out of room plus they just used to sit there after I finished with them - http://tinyurl.com/4fa2po
And I really hate to buy a book and then not like it.
Like "Walden" - I'd heard so much about it but it was a serious snooze fest - so disappointing.
Same with Slaughterhouse Five (I just think I'm not clever enough to appreciate that one.)
Anyway...I've ordered the The Russia House from my library last week (coz I saw it on some bloke's blog and thought I might give it a crack - can you guess whose blog?).
You can see my library's giant yoyos if you like - here.
http://tinyurl.com/4srsst
Yes, I use my local library. In fact, I'm on the board of my local friends of the library. My small town is large in land area -- 92 square miles -- so has two library branches. Neither branch is that well stocked, but Ontario has a province-wide lending system (which sometimes goes beyond provincial boundaries to include all of Canada and, believe it or not, libraries in the U.S.)
Of course, borrowers can wait a l-o-nnnng time for a rare book to arrive.
A local poet runs a fabulous book discussion club. I used to attend but have been too busy of late. I might start up again in the fall because the club encourages me to read books beyond what I might choose on my own.
The children's section of both branches is well stocked, however, And the library offers preschool activities throughout the year as well as book clubs during the summer for school-aged kids.
Books are NEVER going to go out of style. I'll NEVER take my computer with me to read in bed. Nope, NEVER!
The best part about our system now, is that you can browse online, stick in an order for any one from any library (eg. Burnie or King Island), and they ship it to my local library (Rosny) within 5 days! For free!!! It's amazing. This applies equally to DVDs, CDs, audiobooks etc.
The other good thing is that invite people to suggest new purchases. Thus, you can get online, fill in a form (including why you think that the purchase would improve the library), and they'll buy it, and you get first loan. I've had three of these in the past year.
As you can probably tell, I do a lot of advertising for the library.
I love to read. Its rare that I am without a book in my hand. I read English, Hindi and Marathi books. Often I borrow books from Libraries. Because no way can i store all the books i read in my house. :-)
More n more people in Delhi are reading these days... tho i don't think may go to lib anymore.
Priyanka from Delhi, India