Are libraries outdated ?

viksorion

How many of us are still using libraries. Are they passé....
Libraries that I can still see are either govt libraries frquented by old people (my mother is also one) or school libraries ( my son uses one ). I visited my mothers library and was appaled by the conditions there. The librarian whom I have known for years now is like who visits this place now, even youdon't come here anymore.

The private library from where we used to rent the books is long closed.....

Rushcourt71

I think online libraries have since taken precedence.

Private, specialist and research libraries remain popular to the select that are allowed to use them.

It might just be that public libraries have lost the appeal (if it ever existed) to other things that includes entertainment.   

Mousetrap

I used libraries only until I couldn't afford to buy books. I like to read the same book many times, so buying it makes more sense. Also, many libraries I've seen have very limited options and don't have the books I want to read. And needless to mention, with the option to download, I have more books than what I can probably read in my lifetime. So, a library is obsolete, at least for me.

soothsayer

it is a sad state indeed. If many of us read today-we owe it big way to libraries. Only there has to be proper awareness. In our place, the State Government has just started realising this and archives are just being started.

cynic

Libraries are not as much a go-to in today's time, given that we have more access to information from other sources. The well-equipped ones do continue to be popular though.

chanakyakripa

Library had multiple uses like I know many people went there to read newspapers. In our younger age, when general afluence level was lower, I have seen many students borrowing school books even. We used to borrow story books from our local library. Now in this era of digital libraries and online availability of books, I feel libraries hv really become obsolete. Sadly.

GrimReaper

I will start by saying: An excellent post which lights up my Sunday!

Libraries are a place which have been very close to my heart, since my childhood. I was a member of 2 private libraries going up and books were my best friend then.

However, at present with the exponential upsurge of electronic media, books in themselves have taken a back seat. Also, it is far easier to find a book online in a digital copy. I can read it in my own pace and not bother actually having to return it.

Honestly, we would feel indeed libraries have fallen out of favor. But given the chance, there is nothing which gives me more pleasure than actually holding a hard copy of a book and reading out of it. Then it becomes an experience... the ambience, the fragrance... and the world of possibilities...

jhsurti

In my city we have a municipal library and it is very well maintained. They may not have all the books but I do go there occasionally to get a book which I wouldn't be able to find elsewhere - some old books have not yet been digitally converted properly. Also reference books, which cannot be issued but you can sit and read there, are an attraction to lure me there at times. And I see a lot of foot-falls whenever I have visited. People of all ages. They also have a reading room section where one can find all newspapers, magazines etc. So, I guess it's still alive and kicking in my city.

MINNUMERIN

A matter worth thinking about. Personally, I love libraries. The atmosphere and the sense of being surrounded by books of every genre thinkable is so exciting to me, like a child opening a Christmas or birthday present.
In my town there is a well maintained library. They even require recommendation form an existing member to get a new membership.
The only problem is that in our busy schedule it is not that easy to go there and rent books. There is also the fact that I want to own the books that I love so that I can read them whenever I want. So I end up researching books and browsing second hand book stores to buy them.
That method is a bust when it comes to books from my favourite authors that are newly published. From the perspective of a student who is always broke, buying them is out of the question. Also going to search the library for the particular book might not work out too, as they might not have them.  That's when forums like these help out people like me.
So, I have to say libraries are still very much alive in every state but whether or not their resources are being used very well is debatable.