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But now, in response to a thread about under-served poor people creating their own public lending library, you're: 1) arguing that public libraries are unneede

But now, in response to a thread about under-served poor people creating their own public lending library, you're: 1) arguing that public libraries are unneeded because you have enough money to buy your own books (and asserting that 'most of us' can similarly afford our own books, and therefore are not served by public lending libraries) 2) complaining that library collections are 'well-thumbed', while complaining that your favorite book got culled.

JoeAltmaier 9y ago
Sure; because I observe that most of us are not in the library. Not an argument; an observation - most people don't use it. So they either don't need it, or don't want it, or ? And thinking changes - I used to appreciate libraries until they screwed me over, left my interests and needs behind, and became a daycare center. I don't want to read romance novels nor juvenile fiction, regardless of how well-thumbed they are.
- skybrian 9y ago
  Okay, but you're just one data point. Don't make a bigger deal of it than it is. Since the books are well-used, that pretty obviously shows that the library is popular and doing a good job at serving some customers.
  - acct1771 9y ago
    "Push-pin versus poetry" The concept of the utility of media is important. If Family Guy was 24/7 every channel, approval ratings and viewership may still stay high. Is that a proper way to measure utility, or value?
- snowwrestler 9y ago
  For any readers who are interested in actual statistics on library usage: http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/library-usage-and-engagement/ http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/library-usage-and-enga...
  - JoeAltmaier 9y ago
    Good data points: half of America don't visit their public library even once a year. The rest, maybe once a year. If we curated public buildings like libraries curate books, we'd all sell our libraries for $1.
- noxToken 9y ago
  Have you tried making requests at your local library? They've always been very accommodating.
- brewdad 9y ago
  Sounds like you have a crappy library in your town. My town's library is linked with all of the other libraries in my county. Books can be requested and shipped to my home library within a couple of days. This has lead to librarians working together and "specializing" in certain materials. All of the libraries have a good selection of popular material. My library tends to have a larger non-fiction section than most. Another town houses a huge collection of movies. Yet another hosts a tremendous audiobook collection. A simple online request will deliver any of these materials nearby or I can wander in and browse if I'm looking for something more mainstream. Perhaps you should consider getting more involved if your library isn't meeting your needs.

JoeAltmaier 9y ago

Sure; because I observe that most of us are not in the library. Not an argument; an observation - most people don't use it. So they either don't need it, or don't want it, or ? And thinking changes - I used to appreciate libraries until they screwed me over, left my interests and needs behind, and became a daycare center. I don't want to read romance novels nor juvenile fiction, regardless of how well-thumbed they are.

skybrian 9y ago
Okay, but you're just one data point. Don't make a bigger deal of it than it is. Since the books are well-used, that pretty obviously shows that the library is popular and doing a good job at serving some customers.
- acct1771 9y ago
  "Push-pin versus poetry" The concept of the utility of media is important. If Family Guy was 24/7 every channel, approval ratings and viewership may still stay high. Is that a proper way to measure utility, or value?
snowwrestler 9y ago
For any readers who are interested in actual statistics on library usage: http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/library-usage-and-engagement/ http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/09/09/library-usage-and-enga...
- JoeAltmaier 9y ago
  Good data points: half of America don't visit their public library even once a year. The rest, maybe once a year. If we curated public buildings like libraries curate books, we'd all sell our libraries for $1.
noxToken 9y ago
Have you tried making requests at your local library? They've always been very accommodating.
brewdad 9y ago
Sounds like you have a crappy library in your town. My town's library is linked with all of the other libraries in my county. Books can be requested and shipped to my home library within a couple of days. This has lead to librarians working together and "specializing" in certain materials. All of the libraries have a good selection of popular material. My library tends to have a larger non-fiction section than most. Another town houses a huge collection of movies. Yet another hosts a tremendous audiobook collection. A simple online request will deliver any of these materials nearby or I can wander in and browse if I'm looking for something more mainstream. Perhaps you should consider getting more involved if your library isn't meeting your needs.