Comments on: The perils of a discretionary service and localism https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2014/12/the-perils-of-a-discretionary-service-and-localism.html What's happening to your library? Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:06:40 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: @LibraryWeb https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2014/12/the-perils-of-a-discretionary-service-and-localism.html#comment-6396 Mon, 08 Dec 2014 10:24:31 +0000 http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/?p=8479#comment-6396 You would probably have to go back to the early 90s, or even late 70s, before we had a truly comprehensive and efficient library service – would be interesting to compare stats with then rather than 7 years ago.

It’s not time for the e-library as yet either (there is also more to libraries than e-books), the web is quite simply not up to the task as it stands.

]]> By: Heather Hobden https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2014/12/the-perils-of-a-discretionary-service-and-localism.html#comment-6395 Sun, 07 Dec 2014 23:44:35 +0000 http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/?p=8479#comment-6395 The problem with eBooks is that you have to be able to download them, and also that while you get 6 weeks to read a paper book, you only have 2 weeks to read an eBook. The other problem with eBooks is that the format does not necessarily suit your equipment to read them. I used to be able to download the eBooks onto a Sony reader, but this no longer connects to my macbook, and neither can I find an app which does work with this eBook format, on my iPhone, laptop, or the redundant tablet. No problem with Kindle or indeed other downloaded books. Library eBooks would be fine if the apps for Apple and Android were supplied and updated and worked on all devices. And also if a wider and better choice was available. Soon ran out of anything worth reading on the list, it was so limited and mostly “Mills&Boon” type stuff or trivial type non-fiction. You couldn’t order the latest non-fiction, academic, or novels that you wanted to read. The other point is that the library is a social and community centre, you don’t just go there to find and order books, but meet people with similar interests. They have groups for everyone from babies to pensioners. And learning facilities and social help – meeting local councillor etc. And they also provide computers and internet facilities, not everyone has these at home. And teach how to use them. They have visits from local schools and programmes which they use. And our local library has the only public toilets in the shopping centre.

]]>