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Yes, I thought similar things. Libraries stopped being great for readers a decade+ ago. I think it’s less from nefarious corporate actors and more from the fact

Yes, I thought similar things. Libraries stopped being great for readers a decade+ ago. I think it’s less from nefarious corporate actors and more from the fact that reading culture has either shifted to more advanced platforms or evaporated entirely.

merpnderp 3y ago
My library is across the street from a half-way house, and now it's just filled with methheads transitioning back to their normal scams. When I'm looking for some place to work or read and be comfortable in my surroundings, it's the last place I think of going.
- giraffe_lady 3y ago
  It's funny I used to be in and out of homelessness and on and off bad addictions for years and I spent a lot of time in libraries. I spent a lot of effort telling myself people didn't really think things like this about me, it was just my own shame and insecurity and negativity, people don't really even think of other people that much. Now I get to be on HN and see every day that no, my worst beliefs were true, this really is how you saw us.
  - merpnderp 3y ago
    Oh heck yeah, the scam artists, and petty thieves all of whom will do anything for their next fix, are unshockingly looked down upon. What the hell, did you think people who supposed to feel sorry for the person stealing from them, stealing the hours of their life they spent earning those things?
  - networkchad 3y ago
    [dead]
bombcar 3y ago
The readers aren't there is the main issue. Even our local library (part of a small local 'shared independent library systems') really has to focus on kids, movies, and other media. However, you can still get quite a bit of good stuff if you want via interlibrary loan and on DVD and CD.
- UtopiaPunk 3y ago
  As a new parent who has to watch their finances fairly closely, the children's programs at our local library is amazing. It's great to have a free activity to take our little kiddo to where they can interact with other kids. While we're there, we check out a board-book or two to take home. It's also bringing us, the parents, back into the library again. I sometimes go to the library for a kids book, but then I check out something for myself to read. I've frankly falled out of the loop of reading fiction (and I had no idea how to find things I think I'd like), and it's been a nice way to build up a reading habit again. I'd also been using the Libby app for audiobooks for a while, which is topical.

merpnderp 3y ago

My library is across the street from a half-way house, and now it's just filled with methheads transitioning back to their normal scams. When I'm looking for some place to work or read and be comfortable in my surroundings, it's the last place I think of going.

giraffe_lady 3y ago
It's funny I used to be in and out of homelessness and on and off bad addictions for years and I spent a lot of time in libraries. I spent a lot of effort telling myself people didn't really think things like this about me, it was just my own shame and insecurity and negativity, people don't really even think of other people that much. Now I get to be on HN and see every day that no, my worst beliefs were true, this really is how you saw us.
- merpnderp 3y ago
  Oh heck yeah, the scam artists, and petty thieves all of whom will do anything for their next fix, are unshockingly looked down upon. What the hell, did you think people who supposed to feel sorry for the person stealing from them, stealing the hours of their life they spent earning those things?
- networkchad 3y ago
  [dead]

bombcar 3y ago

The readers aren't there is the main issue. Even our local library (part of a small local 'shared independent library systems') really has to focus on kids, movies, and other media. However, you can still get quite a bit of good stuff if you want via interlibrary loan and on DVD and CD.

UtopiaPunk 3y ago
As a new parent who has to watch their finances fairly closely, the children's programs at our local library is amazing. It's great to have a free activity to take our little kiddo to where they can interact with other kids. While we're there, we check out a board-book or two to take home. It's also bringing us, the parents, back into the library again. I sometimes go to the library for a kids book, but then I check out something for myself to read. I've frankly falled out of the loop of reading fiction (and I had no idea how to find things I think I'd like), and it's been a nice way to build up a reading habit again. I'd also been using the Libby app for audiobooks for a while, which is topical.