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KCYDN on Facebook
KCYDN on TwitterThe Library as a Resource
Is the library an underutilized resource? I've recently discovered how amazing libraries are!
You find books at the library. Did you know you can also find movies, music, language learning programs, book clubs, classes and a ton of other cool stuff? I always thought the library had books and nerdy movies until my roommate started bringing home Gilmore Girls. That’s not the typical TV show I expected to find at the library. The library is much cooler than I used to think, either that or I am nerdier than I used to be.
I’m part of two book clubs that try to read a book a month. Books are expensive and buying each of these great books could easily add up to a lot of money. Also I may only read a book once and then it would live on the bookshelf. Some book are worth buying to read again or loan to a friend, but I’d rather read the book first to find out if it’s worth the $20. Now that I’ve discovered the awesomeness of the public library I have a ton of holds on nerdy movies, fun TV shows and great books I’m excited to read!
After Hours took students to the library last fall for one of the field trips. This was a great way to introduce young people to an awesome resource and space that will be helpful to them in the future. I think talking to students about the different types of resources that the library offers is a good way to bring the students to the library. Once the students are at the library, they are surrounded by a community centered on learning and literacy. How can we promote library resources in the community? Why is it an underutilized resource? Is it underutilized?
In preparing to write this blog I googled the history of library. I had forgotten about the rich history of libraries. Libraries have been a center of learning and literacy for centuries. It’s interesting to think that as literacy has grown, libraries have become more accessible to the public. What does the presence and accessibility of public libraries in the US say about our society?
Interested in learning more:
http://www.history-magazine.com/libraries.html
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Library use on the rise
During hard economic times, library usage has soared in Washington State. Those interested can follow the link below to see a study conducted by the Washington State Library that tracks increases in usage following the economic downturn that hit in 2008. http://www.sos.wa.gov/[…]/usage.pdf The article sites increases in circulation, reference transactions, time on public internet computers, and number of computers used. Some propose http://www.sfgate.com/[…]/a012137S16.DTL that these increases can be traced to the increased number of unemployed who are using the library to prepare resumes and apply to jobs. Other people may have terminated internet subscriptions at home, in an attempt to cut costs, and now turn to the public library for their internet access. Once people are inside the door, they realize the library offers more than internet access and books and many are pleasantly surprised. It will be interesting to see, if when the economy rebounds, these people continue to patronage their libraries.
On an unrelated note, for those of you who still love to buy books - I sure do - The Seattle Public Library has a bi-annual book sale http://friendsofspl.org/booksale.aspx where they sell thousands of books for under $1.00! The next sale takes place April 16th – 18th.